FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of authentication server 200, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, authentication server 200 represents an exemplary embodiment of authentication server 120 of FIG. 1. Authentication server 200 includes but is not limited to processing subsystem 201 and database 207. Processing subsystem 201 includes one or more processors, computers, or servers identified as subsystems and can be constructed as individual physical hardware devices, or as virtual devices, such as a virtual server. The number of processing subsystems can be scaled to match the number of simultaneous user connections desired to be supported by a variable-step authentication system such as variable-step authentication system 100 of FIG. 1. Processing subsystem 201 includes but is not limited to communication subsystem 202, authentication subsystem 203, billing subsystem 204, and profile subsystem 205.

In some embodiments, communications subsystem 202 controls the routing of communications related to communications between communication devices 110 and outside communication devices 130. Communications subsystem 202 performs signal switching required to electrically connect communication devices 110 within the controlled environment to outside communication devices 130 that allow users operating such devices to communicate. Communications subsystem 202 can further record conference sessions including metadata associated with the conference sessions such as time of sessions and participants involved in the conference sessions.