User authorisation and authentication are critical pillars of workplace network security. Authentication protocols help verify that a user is who they say they are before they are allowed to access secure data or resources.
In a dynamic and (now) remotely functioning environment, multi-factor authentication is a non-negotiable element. Several reasons contribute to this:
- More and more users now connect to enterprise resources using unsecured individual networks.
- With flexible working hours, more users access resources before or after traditional office hours (between 9 to 6).
- A personal device that one user is operating remotely could be shared by other members of their family.
- With so many ambiguous elements and nodes, hackers have several windows and vulnerabilities to exploit.
To ensure the highest level of enterprise system and data security, businesses today need a risk-based authentication strategy.
Risk Factors Threatening Businesses Today:
Several questions that determine the security of a system are as follows:
- Which network is your system connected to?
- Does your system have security protocols?
- Are your mobile devices secure?
- What is your location? Where are your employees located?
- Are all nodes and main systems located within the same environment?
Authenticating risks helps modernise security strategies and protocols by using the exact volume of security measures with customised risk protection that can improve threat detection and response.
How Does an RBA System Work:
When someone is trying to access a database, system or secure platform, a risk-based authentication system authenticates their credentials. If this user doesn’t meet the security standards set by the system, they aren’t immediately denied access. They need to provide additional verification information like biometric proof, SMS password or the answer to a security question. Based on the threat level upon compromise of the data, the user can be asked to enter one, two or all of these details.
Risk-based authentication tools have become increasingly fundamental as more organisations encourage employees to use their personal devices at work. Every node or system becomes a potential threat. With technologies like IoT (internet of things) connecting more and more devices, security risks continue to grow. RBA can either prevent attacks altogether and restrict the hacker’s attempt to break into the system, or it could close off device access altogether.
Additionally, RBA has seen an increase in recognition and importance as cloud technologies boom. This includes services like SaaS (software as a service), PaaS (platform as a service) and IaaS (infrastructure as a service). Businesses generally access these services remotely or through locally available internet connections, all of which don’t adhere to enterprise security standards. On these platforms, if an authorised user attempts to access the enterprise cloud or database, the RBA could simply activate additional credential requirements or entirely prohibit access till they switch to a more secure network.
In 2017, over 2.2 billion data records were stolen by malicious third parties. Since then, more and more organisations have been working on strengthening their data. Using behavioural analytics and risk-based authentication allows them to identify external threats, minimise risks and restrict internal sources of data leaks. Today, behavioural analytics is more of a complementary component within RBA that helps track user activity and identify faults in existing protocols and practices. In the years to come, RBA protocols will become the most effective and easiest method of AI integration with identity security solutions.
Benefits and Functions of Using a Risk-Based Authentication System:
Risk-based authentication offers fraud prevention system several high-security streamlined options to businesses. There are several objectives businesses can meet by using these solutions through their advanced functionalities and integrations: These include
- Restricting access to contract-based employees
- Granting access to full-time employees only during business hours at the company for 8 hours. After official working hours, every employee will have to enter an OTP (one-time password) along with their existing credentials.
- Granting special authority and privileges to certain employees or teams, such as the finance team. For example, companies might opt to not ask Finance Department members for an OTP no matter what time they log in.
- Granting access to the enterprise self-service tool and payroll application when a contract-based user logs in using the Intranet.
- Determining actions based on rule conditions and their priorities. For example, in this case, the most important access criterion would be the employment type, then the location of the employee and finally the time at which the login attempt is made.
- Granting access to users without additional authentication if they have logged in consistently for a month or more
- Restricting access for familiar users logging in from an abnormal location
- Granting or denying access based on the web browser and version used to log in
- Denying access to any login attempt from a mobile device
Data and system security is the need of the hour in an increasingly competitive market. With a well-planned RBA strategy and solution, your business will be ready to take on the challenges that come its way.
