Authentication is the most fundamental component of access management and is part of security requirements in the digital world. It verifies the identity of users trying to access systems and data by validating their credentials.
Authentication systems are crucial in enterprise security, serving as the gatekeepers to resources by verifying user identities. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, these systems have evolved to protect sensitive data across various industries. They use a mix of credentials such as passwords, biometric data, or security tokens to ensure that only verified users gain access.
When evaluating authentication systems, you'll want to look for features that balance strong security with user convenience.
Professionals on PeerSpot underscore the importance of systems that are easy to deploy and user-friendly. Scalability to accommodate growing user bases and compatibility with a diverse range of platforms are often highlighted as crucial factors.
The landscape of authentication systems is shaped by rising cybersecurity threats, which demand continuous adaptation of these systems. Striking a balance between stringent security measures and user-friendliness remains a significant challenge. Seamless integration with existing IT infrastructures and compliance with global data protection regulations like GDPR and HIPAA are also critical considerations.
In addition to the key components mentioned above, it's beneficial to delve deeper into the technical aspects of different authentication types. This can guide more informed decisions when implementing or upgrading authentication systems.
Each of these authentication types has its strengths and weaknesses. The choice often depends on the specific security requirements, user convenience considerations, and the IT infrastructure of an organization. A combination of these methods, often seen in multi-factor authentication systems, provides a more robust and secure authentication framework.
For more information, browse through this category of solutions which includes: Microsoft's Entra ID solution, Cisco Duo, Fortinet, and others.
You can also download our Buyer's Guide for Authentication Systems.
There are 5 primary types of authentication factors that authentication systems typically employ.
1. Password-based authentication: This is usually the first type of authentication that users will employ, regardless of whether or not another factor or factors are being used in tandem to secure their system. Passwords are the most common type of authentication. These can consist of any combination of letters, numbers, or special characters. When a user logs on, they are asked to enter the password that they created for themselves or were assigned. If the password that they enter is recognized, then the user is granted access to the system that they are attempting to access.
2. Biometric marker authentication: This form of authentication is based on any one of a number of unique biological markers offered by the user. This form of authentication can use voice prints, facial recognition, retinal scans, and fingerprint scans. Biometric marker authentication is commonly used by anyone from ordinary consumers and private corporations to government installations and the military. It is a method of authentication that is becoming more popular. In order to gain entry to the system, users allow the authentication software in question to scan the biological marker that the software has archived. If the sample that the user offers matches the stored biological signature, then access is granted.
3. Certificate-based authentication: This method of authentication borrows an idea from the world of analog and transposes it into the digital world. Certificate-based authentication works on the idea that every person has identity documents that verify their identities for authorities in the real-world. Users are assigned virtual documents that are designed to digitally verify their identities. These documents contain digital signatures, the identity of a legitimate certificate issuing authority, and a public key. Any time that user attempts to log in, they must first provide a copy of their digital certificate. Access is granted if the details of the provided certificate are trusted by the authentication software.
4. Short message service (SMS) or one-time password (OTP)-based authentication: This method of authentication requires users to enter a randomly created code that is only usable once. This code is generated when users attempt to access the protected system. The randomly generated key is sent either to the user’s phone or email account. If the user in question enters the code that was sent to either a phone number or an associated account that is connected with their identity, then they are granted entry.
5. Security question-based authentication: This method of authentication requires users to answer one or more questions when they are setting up their system accounts. The answers that they give are stored within the system as the user’s identification keys. When they attempt to enter the system in the future, users will be confronted by one or more of the questions that they had previously answered. They will be allowed access to the system if the answers they provide are the same as the answers that were previously stored within the system.
Every method of authentication has benefits and drawbacks. In order to determine the method that is the most secure, one must do a cost-benefit-analysis.
1. Password-based authentication: This method is simple for users to use. All you need to enter is your password and you are done. It is also not very expensive to use. While this is a good thing from a usability perspective, passwords do suffer from a critical security flaw. They are rarely changed between accounts. Forty-six percent of the time, people use the same passwords for all of their accounts. This makes them highly vulnerable to phishing attacks and hacking. If one website is compromised, then the others are as well.
2. Biometric marker authentication: This method is nearly impossible for someone to spoof, as no two people have the same biological markers and therefore every user’s biometrics are unique. It is also simple for users to use, as everything that they need is already a part of them. However, this can be a costly system for organizations to set up.
3. Certificate-based authentication: This form of authentication ensures privacy. The digital certificates keep your data away from bad actors. Additionally, users don’t have to be concerned about the cost, as the servers used for this method are on the cheaper side. However, the companies that are charged with producing the digital certificates are often targeted by hackers who attempt to manipulate the certificates that they produce.
4. Short message service (SMS) or one-time password (OTP)-based authentication: This is a very simple method for users to employ. All that you have to do is attempt to log in and then enter the code that you receive. It is also very useful for spotting suspicious activity. If the user keeps trying to log in without entering the code, they likely do not belong there. A major issue with this method is that it is not quite safe from fraud. If a bad actor acquires a user’s phone or hacks their email, they will have full access to the system.
5. Security question-based authentication. This is also fairly easy for users to use. All a user has to do is remember their answer and type it in when the question appears on their screen. The cost of using this method is also pretty cheap. The servers required to create this security measure are not particularly expensive. Security questions do have a fatal flaw. The answers to security questions are usually easy for hackers to find online or guess. This makes them extremely insecure.
When all of the methods of authentication are compared, the biometric method seems to be the best. It is both the hardest to hack and also arguably the easiest for users to implement.
The authentication process has two main steps:
1. Identification. In this step, users enter their identification into the system for it to identify the user. This can take the form of a username and password, for example.
2. Central authentication. During this step, the user enters a credential that only the authenticated user should know or be able to present. This might take the form of a biometric marker, for example. This second piece of information enables the system to authenticate the identity of the person who is trying to gain access to the system.
