Why Smart Companies Are Switching To Adaptive Authentication

We live in a digital age, where information is the most valuable asset. An enterprise with poorly secured data access can quickly lose information to ransomware or other cybersecurity threats. Small to medium-sized businesses are at greater risk of a data breach.

As more organizations step up their digital presence using computers, data storage devices, and cloud storage, the risk of accessing confidential information is higher than ever. Traditionally, IDs and Passwords were enough to secure a company’s files. However, traditional cybersecurity methods can no longer keep up with modern decrypting technologies.

The limitation of Multi-factor Authentication

One-factor authentication is one of the most exploited accessibility flaws by hackers. Using brute force assaults and social engineering approaches, attackers could quickly break even complex IDs and passwords without the second layer of protection.

To prevent such avoidable attacks, Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) is now commonly placed as a security technique that requires a user to provide two or more validation factors. It acts as an added wall to obstruct unwanted access. This technique is used widely across industry and government data storage facilities.

While using two or more factors while authentication regulates user access and improves security against third-party users, the mechanism has its limitations. For example, SMS or E-mail MFAs are prone to attackers who hijack messages or invade online mailboxes.

In recent years, the hybrid workforce has seen a rise. Employees constantly log in to company websites from their remote workplaces. These home offices often lack organization-level security. Even cafes or coworking spaces might lack robust firewalls. The static nature of multi-factor authentication may not keep up with today’s dynamic work culture.

Adaptive Authentication is the Next Step

Adaptive Authentication is a mechanism that verifies user identity through a series of factors before confirming the authentication level. It intelligently changes the access requirements on the go, making it much harder for an unwanted entity to enter the enterprise.

Using adaptive authentication, trustworthy users save time by not having to prove their identity whenever they access a system. Instead, there is less friction for trusted users who connect to their accounts and systems from secure places. Adaptive authentication can request extra authentication credentials for higher-risk logins.

So how does it work?

Suppose you are an enterprise with multiple employees of varying access levels to information. When you deploy risk-based authentication in your business, you specify the baseline login criteria for a particular user or collection of users. You may establish stricter rules for users in specific locations, such as a home office or positions with sensitive information access, such as a Manager or CEO.

Adaptive authentication works by generating a profile for each user that contains information such as the user’s geographic location, registered devices, role, and other details. Each time someone attempts to authenticate, the request is assessed, and a risk score is issued. Depending on the risk score, the user may be forced to submit more credentials or permitted to use fewer credentials.

Why is Adaptive Authentication better than Multi-factor Authentication?

1. Better User Experience

Observing behavior can say a lot about a person.

Habits such as logging in from preferred devices, typical user login times, or familiar work locations can create a digital picture of the user. Adaptive Authentication technology provided by Blue Star E&E, expects the user to stick to these behaviors and only ask for more authentication when the user behaves unexpectedly.

2. Zero-Trust

Zero-Trust is the finest feature of Adaptive Authentication. It is a security architecture that requires all users, both within and outside an organization’s network, to be verified, approved, and continually checked before being permitted or maintaining access to applications and data. The risk score is regularly updated to identify any suspicious conduct based on new information, considering each user’s continuing behavior.

3. Get More Work Done

With the threat of fraud looming, a corporation may be tempted to have consumers jump through more verification hoops. Needing to give multi-factor authentication repeatedly wastes time and inhibits productivity. Users may get frustrated.

With the technology available today, users can face less or even zero friction on their login. By adapting the authentication method based on the risk level, lower-risk methods can be used initially, saving the highest friction authentication methods for the higher-risk logins. Lesser disruptions lead to better focus and ultimately affect performance.

How Blue Star bridges the gap between security and user experience for safe remote work?

As organizations become more sophisticated and dispersed, maintaining access security may be an ongoing battle to prevent cyberattacks. Businesses must strengthen their security to prevent fraudsters and hackers from their systems.

Adaptive authentication is a robust solution that provides higher-level protection by restricting the potential of unauthorized users stealing critical financial data, intellectual property, and other sensitive information using any stolen credentials.

Blue Star E&E improves your firm’s security posture by delivering tailored security solutions depending on your risk tolerance, regulations, and authentication levels.

Switch To Adaptive Authentication in Your Organization Right Now!