The different illustrative embodiments provide a method, computer program product, and apparatus for managing an authentication request. A determination is made whether additional authentication is to be performed responsive to receiving the authentication request to access an application from a mobile device. A phone number to call is sent to the mobile device responsive to a determination that the additional authentication is to be performed. A determination is made whether an incoming call to the phone number is from the mobile device and within a selected period of time. The authentication request to access the application from the mobile device is granted responsive to a determination that the incoming call to the phone number is from the mobile device and within the selected period of time.