The number of data breaches that occur each year continues to rise, impacting hundreds of millions of people in the United States and beyond. While it is true that some of these attacks are preventable, it’s also true that cybercriminals are getting smarter.
Understanding advanced authentication and its applications can help organizations create better, more secure tech stacks that protect both business users and customers.
What Is Advanced Authentication?
Advanced authentication is a cybersecurity framework that goes beyond standard two-factor authentication (2FA) technologies to validate user identity. Some examples of advanced authentication tools include:
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA): MFA authentication requires the user to provide one or more credentials in addition to their password, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
- Adaptive authentication: Also known as risk-based authentication, this tool creates an individual profile for each user so that, when the user attempts to log in, it can evaluate their risk of getting hacked. It then requires more or fewer credentials depending on the assigned risk score.
- Single sign-on (SSO): Combined with adaptive authentication technologies, SSO reduces the risk of password reuse by enabling the user to securely log on to multiple apps with only one set of credentials.
- Passwordless: Weak and recycled passwords are significant security risks for most organizations. Passwordless authentication technologies eliminate the need to remember passwords, increasing both security and convenience.
- Biometrics: One of the most secure authentication methods available, biometric technologies validate user identities based on unique physical characteristics like fingerprints, retina scans or even vein patterns.
- Password vaults: Credential vaults are specialized apps that serve as secure repositories for sensitive data, such as passwords and application programming interfaces (API) keys.
The Evolution of Advanced Authentication
MIT computer scientist Fernando Corbató created the first computer password in 1961 to differentiate between users on an early shared operating system. The system, known as the Compatible Time-Sharing System (CTSS), accomplished this task by comparing each user’s unique password against a master file that contained all credentials.
While a simple password may have worked in the days when businesses and end users had fewer applications to manage, today’s rapidly digitizing world requires people to create and remember dozens of passwords. This expectation is out of the realm of possibility for most end users — one 2021 study found that 64% of people unknowingly used a compromised password for multiple accounts.
Additionally, basic 2FA and MFA have become vulnerable to attack. After guessing the user’s password, a hacker can spam them with push notifications until they accidentally grant access. This kind of bypass is known as push fatigue or MFA fatigue, and it’s become significantly more common in recent years.
That’s why modern authentication practices go far beyond strong password policies and basic MFA. Eliminating passwords makes accounts more secure by preventing hackers from guessing credentials, and requiring advanced authentication factors reduces the risk of push fatigue and other MFA bypass attacks from getting through.
Applications of Advanced Authentication
Advanced authentication has many different use cases across various industries, including in government, higher education and healthcare.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a great example. As of October 2024, the FBI will require advanced authentication for all entities attempting to access the Criminal Justice Information Services database. This requirement will help protect sensitive information about criminal investigations, such as digital evidence, from falling into the hands of malicious actors.
Similarly, U.S. military personnel must use physical tokens like the Common Access Card to log on to Department of Defense systems and applications. This card holds important information about the holder, including the user’s rank, branch affiliation and permissions.
The Crucial Role of Advanced Authentication in Today’s Digital World
With cyberattacks on the rise and data breaches becoming increasingly devastating, now is the time to implement advanced authentication. Organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to multinational corporations, can benefit from this technology.
Addressing Rising Cybersecurity Threats
Cybercrimes like phishing, ransomware and distributed denial of service attacks have become more common and more damaging over the past few years. According to a report from accounting software company Sage, 48% of small to medium-sized businesses experienced a cyber incident from 2022 to 2023.
Organizations must invest in new tools to protect their data from being stolen. Advanced authentication is a strong choice because it prevents hackers from getting into the system, which minimizes the amount of damage they can cause.
Protecting Sensitive Information
One of the most common motivations for cybercrime is stealing sensitive information or leaking it online for financial gain or sabotage. The consequences are even greater now than in previous years. According to IBM’s latest annual report, the average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million — a 15.3% increase from 2020.
Advanced authentication uses intelligent technologies to ensure users are who they say they are. For example, even if an attacker happened to get hold of a high-ranking user’s password, an AI-enabled adaptive authentication software could analyze the hacker’s behavior and flag it as suspicious. This step would trigger the algorithm to prompt for additional authentication factors, which would prevent the attacker from getting access.
Advanced Authentication in Compliance Management
As legacy authentication technologies like passwords, 2FA and MFA become less secure, organizations must meet stricter requirements to comply with important legal and industry regulations. Some agencies have already incorporated advanced authentication into their compliance requirements.
Some of the key standards organizations may need to adhere to include:
- OpenID Connect: This framework uses account profiles stored on an authorization server to verify user identity, which helps identify abnormal user behavior.
- FIDO 2.0: This framework developed by Fast Identity Online replaces basic passwords with phishing-resistant credentials, which helps prevent server breach attacks.
- JSON Web Tokens: This open standard protects user information during authentication in web apps and APIs.
Debunking Common Misconceptions About Advanced Authentication
One of the most common misconceptions people make is confusing advanced authentication with strong authentication — however, they’re two separate concepts. Here’s the difference:
- Strong authentication refers to any cybersecurity technique that requires a user to provide two or more factors to verify their identity, such as a one-time password or smart card.
- Advanced authentication takes security a step further by incorporating advanced digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into strong authentication techniques.
Balancing Security and Usability
Although building a more robust security protocol is the chief concern in implementing advanced authentication, organizations must also prioritize a seamless user experience to encourage widespread adoption. Usability is an important consideration if you plan to roll out advanced authentication on the customer side — the more streamlined the customer experience, the more impressed customers will be with your brand.
Fortunately, organizations don’t have to sacrifice a good user experience in order to improve their security. The key lies in effective strategizing during software selection and implementation. Proactively identifying the outcomes you expect from advanced authentication software and planning out your implementation roadmap can help you move past the most common challenges that appear during the process.
Overcoming Challenges in Implementing Advanced Authentication
To facilitate a smooth implementation and maximize return on software investment (ROI), organizations must make the following considerations.
Potential Roadblocks and Solutions
As with any new software implementation, the journey to authentication implementation can be long and complex. Some common obstacles organizations encounter include:
- User resistance: It’s important to remember there may be some initial resistance from your users when implementing advanced authentication technologies, especially if you plan to use biometrics or other physical verification factors.
- Security gaps: While advanced authentication is an excellent tool for increasing your organization’s security, gaps may remain between where you’d like to be and where you are after implementing the product. This situation typically happens because your team missed some key data.
- Integration issues: When your chosen authentication solution does not “speak to” the other software programs in your tech stack, it can be difficult to ensure a consistent user experience across platforms. For the best results, look for a solution that supports all the platforms your organization needs.
Having a plan in place can help make the implementation process much smoother. Here are some tips for managing those roadblocks:
- Be strategic: Begin your advanced authentication journey by outlining your goals for this project. Conducting a gap analysis can help you identify the security gaps you need to close.
- Be proactive: Research all your options and reach out to each vendor on your shortlist. Taking advantage of free trials and speaking with potential partners will help you make the most informed decision.
- Get buy-in early: Convincing key stakeholders, such as team leaders and company executives, to buy in to the authentication software before implementation begins can make employees more open to the change.
The Importance of Expertise in Implementation
To ensure a successful implementation of any software, organizations must invest in the process as much as they invest in the desired result. Although many companies have experienced IT staff to manage new software implementations, it’s important to remember they’re likely also learning how to use the technology for the first time. Leaving them to figure it out on their own can often lead to confusion and frustration, significantly decreasing your chances of lasting success.
In comparison, smaller companies often lack large IT teams — meaning they also lack the digital resources and knowledge to properly implement a new solution. Without sufficient support and experience, employees can easily become frustrated and give up on the new tool altogether.
That’s where a reliable software provider comes in. Your authentication software vendor has a deep understanding of their product, so you should be able to count on them to help you overcome many of the challenges you may face during the implementation process. Look for a provider that offers employee training and ongoing support services so you can get the assistance you need to maximize your ROI and close any security gaps you may have missed.
Looking Ahead at the Future of Advanced Authentication
Authentication technologies change rapidly to keep up with shifting threats in the cybersecurity landscape. While the future is impossible to predict with certainty, there are several key advanced authentication trends organizations should pay attention to so they can remain informed.
Emerging Trends in Authentication
AI is a buzzword in almost every industry, and it’s a critical part of advanced authentication technologies. An AI algorithm can ingest and analyze massive quantities of user data, allowing it to recognize behavioral patterns that most humans would miss. When a user attempts to log in from a new location or at an unusual time, the algorithm can respond by prompting more authentication factors.
ML is an AI technique that allows the algorithm to learn from its own experiences, which enables advanced authentication software to continuously improve. For example, if the algorithm incorrectly flags a behavior or authentication factor as suspicious and you override it, it can adjust the information in your user profile to reflect the change for future reference.
Advanced biometrics is another promising trend — using immutable physical characteristics has become one of the most secure authentication protocols yet. Aside from fingerprint scans, some examples of biometric factors include:
- Retina scans
- Face recognition
- Voice recognition
- Vein patterns
- Iris scans
One of the biggest challenges of implementing biometrics is addressing users’ concerns about privacy and consent. Many people are still hesitant to allow any organization to collect biometric data. Complete transparency with customers and end users about how your organization will use that data can help dispel those worries and encourage greater adoption.
The Importance of Continuous Learning
Many workplace standards, such as ISO 27001, encourage organizations to build a culture of continuous learning and improvement to assist in meeting compliance requirements. A commitment to ongoing learning also makes it easier for organizations to maintain their competitive edge, as it enables them to produce consistently high results even amid evolving customer expectations.
In terms of cybersecurity, IT professionals at organizations of all sizes must stay updated with evolving advanced authentication techniques and best practices to protect against costly data breaches and their associated downtime. Here are some tips for promoting ongoing learning within your organization:
- Require team members to complete at least one annual training.
- Make training resources readily available so employees can learn or refresh their knowledge on demand.
- Encourage collaboration between IT team members to gain insight from multiple perspectives.
- Collect feedback to identify new use cases or suggestions for your advanced authentication technology.
Implement Advanced Authentication With Optimal IdM
As technology continues to evolve, the need for more robust security protocols is becoming more apparent by the day. Partnering with a reliable Identity and Access Management provider like Optimal IdM can help you protect your company. We offer cloud-based authentication solutions for organizations across all industries, and we work with our clients to create custom solutions that meet every unique requirement.
If your organization is looking for an optimal authentication solution, our experts are here to help you. Contact us today to register for a free trial.
