A computer device for securing electronic transactions in a computing network, comprising: a memory to store data and instructions; at least one processor configured to communicate with the memory; an operating system in communication with the memory and the at least one processor, wherein the operating system is operable to: receive a transaction; access transaction contextual data for the transaction; apply one or more authentication decision rules to the transaction contextual data to determine initial authentication assessment information for the transaction; convert the initial authentication assessment information into a condensed authentication assessment indicator having an assessment value selected from a plurality of assessment values based on an assessment value definition; transmit the condensed authentication assessment indicator for the transaction; receive a transaction authentication decision based in part on the condensed authentication assessment indicator; and process or deny processing the transaction based on the transaction authentication decision; wherein the condensed authentication assessment indicator incorporates a standard format, in order for the initial authentication assessment information to be quantitative and have quantitative and consistent information and/or definitions that can be interpreted in the same way by all parties. a memory to store data and instructions; at least one processor configured to communicate with the memory; an operating system in communication with the memory and the at least one processor, wherein the operating system is operable to: receive a transaction; access transaction contextual data for the transaction; apply one or more authentication decision rules to the transaction contextual data to determine initial authentication assessment information for the transaction; convert the initial authentication assessment information into a condensed authentication assessment indicator having an assessment value selected from a plurality of assessment values based on an assessment value definition; transmit the condensed authentication assessment indicator for the transaction; receive a transaction authentication decision based in part on the condensed authentication assessment indicator; and process or deny processing the transaction based on the transaction authentication decision; wherein the condensed authentication assessment indicator incorporates a standard format, in order for the initial authentication assessment information to be quantitative and have quantitative and consistent information and/or definitions that can be interpreted in the same way by all parties. receive a transaction; access transaction contextual data for the transaction; apply one or more authentication decision rules to the transaction contextual data to determine initial authentication assessment information for the transaction; convert the initial authentication assessment information into a condensed authentication assessment indicator having an assessment value selected from a plurality of assessment values based on an assessment value definition; transmit the condensed authentication assessment indicator for the transaction; receive a transaction authentication decision based in part on the condensed authentication assessment indicator; and process or deny processing the transaction based on the transaction authentication decision; wherein the condensed authentication assessment indicator incorporates a standard format, in order for the initial authentication assessment information to be quantitative and have quantitative and consistent information and/or definitions that can be interpreted in the same way by all parties.