Authentication mechanisms are the pillars of digital safety. They provide individuals with secure protocols for validating their identities before they can access safeguarded data and services. These mechanisms also establish the communication rules between the entities seeking access to a digital service (known as claimants) and the entities verifying their identities (known as verifiers). In other words, authentication mechanisms exchange information to ascertain the legitimacy of the authentication service and to ensure that the claimant holds the correct token required for identity verification.

Meanwhile, due to the evolving cyber threats, the robust authentication market has been on a rapid expansion trajectory in recent years, and industry leaders agree that this upward trend will likely persist in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, authentication has evolved from a sophisticated technology exclusive to tech enthusiasts to a commonplace tool. It has found widespread application in professional settings and domestic environments. For example, as end-users, we have all leveraged our mobile devices to verify our identities, authorize transactions, or access our accounts.

Selecting the appropriate authentication solution is paramount to securing and ensuring your systems and data’s integrity, confidentiality, and availability. Numerous authentication methods are available, each providing different degrees of security and ease of use. These include biometric, mobile-based, dual-factor, multi-factor, and password authentication. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, and the selection often hinges on the specific security needs of the resources or systems in question. It is also influenced by factors such as the requisite security level, the type of business, the scale of the organization, financial considerations, and the user experience.

So, how do you choose the ideal authentication method for your business?

The importance of choosing the proper authentication methods

On a conceptual level, the notion of weak authentication methods is straightforward. Yet, they are often deemed critical due to the direct correlation between security and authentication.

Essentially, authentication measures with weak security can enable intruders to access confidential data and crucial functionalities. Moreover, they can expose more attack surfaces susceptible to subsequent exploits.

Predominantly, flaws in authentication systems arise in one of two manners:

• The authentication systems are deemed insufficient because they cannot effectively defend against brute-force assaults. Cybercriminals can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access.
• Implementation errors or subpar coding can lead to situations where cyber adversaries can completely circumvent the authentication systems. Such a scenario is often referred to as “compromised authentication.”

The consequences of deploying weak authentication protocols can be drastic. If a cybercriminal bypasses the authentication process or uses brute-force attacks to gain access to a user’s account, they access all the information and capabilities the breached account possesses.

Worse still, if they succeed in compromising an account with elevated privileges, like that of a system administrator, they could potentially seize complete control of the enterprise application. This could even lead to them gaining access to the internal infrastructure, posing a significant threat to the organization’s security and data integrity.

Even a breach into an account with minimal privileges can provide a hacker access to information that should be off-limits, such as proprietary business data. Even when the compromised account doesn’t have access to sensitive data, it could still grant the attacker entry to other protected areas, thereby expanding the attack surface.

It’s worth noting that high-impact attacks are often not feasible from publicly accessible pages, but attackers can execute them from internal pages.

Examples of hacked companies due to poor authentication 

• First American Financial Corporation data breach (2019): The breach affected 885 million records. It occurred due to an authentication error, not a server breach. The error was an Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR), allowing anyone with a direct link to access documents without authentication. Advanced Persistent Bots (APBs) could then collect and index the remaining documents. This error remained undiscovered for years.
  
  
• Adult FriendFinder Networks data breach (2016): The breach affected 412.2 million records. It occurred when attackers exploited security flaws in the site’s network, especially the password encryption mechanisms. Most passwords were protected by the weak SHA-1 hashing algorithm, leading to 99% of the credentials being posted by LeakSource.com in 2016.
  
  
• Timehop data breach (2018): Timehop, an application for sharing past social media photos, experienced a security breach in December 2017, but it wasn’t detected until July 2018. The breach was triggered by a compromised access credential to their cloud-based infrastructure, which did not have multi-factor authentication. This lapse in security enabled the hacker to compromise more than 21 million records.
  
  
• US Office of Personnel Management data breach (2015): The data occurred due to technical shortcomings and structural gaps in the agency’s IT framework. Cybercriminals infiltrated OPM’s systems by exploiting credentials pilfered from a third-party contractor with privileged network access. The initial breach was achieved via a spear-phishing email, compromising multiple OPM contractors’ credentials. These stolen credentials were then utilized to access various service accounts, notably the KeyPoint Government Solutions (KGS) service account, a contractor with high-level privileges used in managing vital OPM systems.

Factors in choosing the most secure authentication method

1.    System architecture

The system architecture is a key determinant when choosing a secure authentication method. It defines the system’s structure, influencing its compatibility with various authentication protocols.

Notably, the architecture’s design can impact the system’s ability to support the technical demands of different protocols, such as specific cryptographic algorithms or network configurations. Furthermore, the system architecture influences the authentication’s process scalability and performance.

In short, understanding the system’s architecture can guide your business in choosing and implementing the most secure authentication method.

2.    Specific system security requirements

The specific security needs of a system or application are key factors that inform the most suitable authentication protocol. Different protocols offer varying degrees of security, making some more appropriate for certain situations than others.

For example, a protocol that provides a high level of protection might be ideal for a system that handles sensitive data or conducts high-stakes transactions. Conversely, a system with less stringent security requirements might be better served by a protocol prioritizing user convenience and ease of use.

Therefore, you must gain a holistic view of your organization’s specific security needs to ensure that the authentication you settle on addresses and meets those needs.

3.    The security levels the authentication protocols offer

The security levels of authentication protocols must inform the authentication systems your company chooses to implement. It’s essential to prioritize protocols that provide robust security measures to protect user data and prevent unauthorized access. This means opting for protocols that employ advanced cryptographic techniques, multi-factor authentication, or biometric verification to ensure the highest level of security. These protocols should resist common attack vectors like replay or brute-force attacks.

Additionally, the choice of the authentication protocol should align with the sensitivity of the data being protected and the potential impact of a security breach. Ultimately, the goal is to balance security, usability, and practicality.

4.    Integration with the enterprise infrastructure

Opting for protocols that can be smoothly incorporated into your existing infrastructure is crucial. Considering integration and compatibility with existing systems simplifies the implementation process and eases the maintenance procedures.

Besides, a well-integrated protocol can work harmoniously with your current systems, reducing potential conflicts and enhancing overall system efficiency. It also minimizes disruptions to workflows and user experience during the implementation phase.

When choosing an authentication method, consider its compatibility with your system architecture, software platforms, network configurations, and other technical aspects of your infrastructure.

5.    The organization’s risk tolerance

Risk tolerance is a significant factor that you must consider to ensure you choose an authentication method that addresses security risks. An organization’s willingness to accept risk varies based on its industry, business model, and specific operational needs.

For instance, organizations in high-risk industries or those handling highly sensitive data may opt for more stringent authentication methods despite the potential trade-off in user convenience. Conversely, organizations with a higher risk tolerance may prioritize user-friendly authentication methods, accepting a certain level of risk in return for improved usability. Hence, ensure you understand your company’s risk tolerance levels to determine the authentication level that strikes the right balance between security and usability.

Pulsar Security can help

Choosing the most secure authentication method is a critical decision for any organization. With Pulsar Security, this process becomes significantly easier. Pulsar Security is a leader in cybersecurity and offers a wide range of services, including dark web monitoring, network assessments, red teaming, phishing simulations, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing.

Pulsar’s team of certified professionals and advanced security platforms can guide you in selecting the ideal authentication protocols for your organization. They can help determine the compatibility of your system architecture with various protocols, assess the security levels required, and evaluate your organization’s risk tolerance.

Pulsar Security is a reliable cybersecurity firm with which to partner in the currently evolving cyber threat environment where emerging risks demand innovative solutions. Their expertise can help ensure your authentication methods are robust, secure, and tailored to your needs.

So, take the first step towards enhanced security. Partner with Pulsar Security and make the right choice for your authentication needs.