Next-Generation Security Practices: Why Use the Best Multi-Factor Authentication Solutions?
Industries are on a course of constant evolution. The relationship they share with latest technologies is mutual. It is a tale of inspiring and getting inspired during the interplay, and it propels the flux. But it has an Achilles heel. The more innovation these industries incorporate, the more they become vulnerable. That is where the leap becomes necessary. The leap to next-generation security practices.
What industries are experiencing now is a constant change in the structure with the rapid integration of features like cloud technology, IoT, and digital metamorphosis. This is challenging the security operation centres. What comes to the forefront is the usage of some of the best two-factor authentication software and multi-factor authentication solutions as possible answers. To understand their inclusion a knowledge of the threats and possibilities is essential.
3 Next Gen Technology Leaders
1. Inclusion of Cloud Technology
To reduce the workload, a lot of organisations are now making a paradigmatic shift. They are including cloud technology. The technology has substantial processing and storage capacity and it can smoothen the workflow by systematically eliminating functional overheads. But its optimal application requires a real-time threat detection and response process that can also substantially support the risk management procedure.
The cloud has made the running of a system easy, both in terms of cost and efficiency. In such cases, if the threat gets acknowledged the moment someone tries to log in, then, eliminating it and safeguarding the process becomes easier. This is the first step in designing the best multi-factor authentication solution and also, its incorporation. Either this, or at the least, if the best two-factor authentication software is preloaded in the system, sieving these threats becomes easier.
2. Importance of automation
Automation is now in charge to detect and launch effective measures as per the requirement. The foundation of the automation is firmly set in algorithms. This makes the detection of a wrong input at an early stage simple. It becomes even more efficient with increasing security layers.
Guessing answers to security questions is easier than a combination where questions, biometric, and behavioural patterns all come together. Such combinations increase the reliability of two-factor or multi-factor authentication. The process draws its strength from automation and in turn, it boosts the security of the system.
3. Machine learning to impact
The volumes of data and subsequent threat alerts have grown multifold in the past decade. Organisations know it well that a slight tweak in the architecture of any organisation can inspire a domino-effect, resulting in a cataclysm. Machine learning can counter it and its use is fast becoming imperative.
Combinations set the premise of some of the best two-factor authentication software. The same is the case with the multi-factor authentication solutions. This means more billions of data combinations. Now imagine, you are to detect the threat from such huge storage of information. It could take months or even years for you to come up with the right one. Machine learning simplifies the process by pinpointing the anomaly in seconds. Authentication solutions benefit a lot but it returns the kindness by increasing the security of the process.
Why multi-factor authentication system is a must?
It is evident that the system becomes more secure with two or multi-factor authentications. Traditional usernames and passwords are no longer safe. The problem lies in their predictability. With social media gaining force, for hackers, getting personal information is now a cakewalk. It could initiate a ripple effect and topple the prospect of a company. A leak of information could destroy a company’s credibility and brand image, and refrain people from investing in such companies.
A better option is always two or multi-factor authentication. The only difference between the two and multi is the number of protective layers. Layers increase protection.
How does the multi-factor authentication system work?
The architecture of the multi-factor authentication system relies on security tokens and it functions using more than just one type of authentication method. A standard model would include knowledge factors (facts that the user knows), inherence factors (things that the user is), and possession factors (something that the user possesses). For instance, a smartphone where the software and the hardware form a cohesive token format to increase security. The process involves knowledge in the form of a pin, pattern lock, and fingerprint or face scan as a perfect way to secure the phone. It further simplifies the operation as the user usually carries all these tokens with him.
Ways of implementing the multi-factor authentication system
The common practice of implementing multi-factor authentication system depends on seven definite ways,
- Push Notifications
- SMS
- Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP)
- Biometrics
- Smartcards
- Mobile Apps
Push Notification:
The push notification system requires users to log in with a username and password. The system would send a push notification with a login request using an application like Auth0 Guardian. This notification contains the OS and browser of the request, the application name, the location and the date of the request. When the user accepts it a channel gets created for safe access.
SMS
The system works by generating a password and sending it to the phone. For instance, when someone tries to log in to a personal account, the site would send an alert to the mobile in the form of digits. Upon entering the code in the link, he or she will get access.
It is quite similar to that of the SMS system where the pin gets delivered to the user’s email account. In the same way, the user is required to enter the pin to get into the project.
Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP)
In the TOTP authentication method, a mobile application to generate the secrity PINs. The process works when the user tries to log in by entering the username and password. Upon validating these credentials, the user gets asked to enter a one-time code. This code is valid for 30 seconds only, after which a new code is generated. This short timeframe protects the process from brute-force attacks. Some of the popular options for TOTP based authentications include: Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, and TOTP Authenticator.
Biometric Security
Biometric comes as a combination with other knowledge-based states. The process requires an architectural structure that would depend on iris scan and fingerprints, along with regular inputs to make the process secured.
Smartcards
This is also a major tool that has information stored. In addition to a safety lock pin, this physical token provides an extra layer of security. However, both biometrics and smartcards are vulnerable in front of hackers as the software can be hacked using effective methods.
Mobile Apps
There are mobile apps that allow users to scan a QR code or provide an email id or phone number to get access to a particular system.
Security firms are now launching algorithms to identify user gestures or behavior of their users to authenticate access. For high-value customers, this is all the more necessary. Getting a combination of these would increase the security level. It would benefit a lot from the next-generation security systems’ data storage, analysis, and automated response system.
With BinaryBoot, you can now learn more about the interplay of some of the best multi-factor authentication solutions. The next-generation security practices would benefit remarkably from its ability to:
- Boost conversion rate — as it would help people trust the enterprise
- Enhance security — the more the authentication factors, the better the security level
- Curb cost of operation — With threats getting eliminated early, long-term maintenance is rarely needed
- Increase credibility — Companies with the best practice of authentication process wins more customers
- Ensure better workflow — Less tampering in the core system ensures simple and efficient workflow.
BinaryBoot is a software development company helping startup create next-gen products and softwares. Have an idea? We can help.
