Information Security

Get ahead of user authentication challenges to secure your data

Authentication challenges

User authentication is the process of determining if a user or identity is who they claim to be. Authentication is accomplished using something the user knows (e.g. password), something the user has (e.g. security token) or something of the user (e.g. biometric).

5 user authentication challenges faced by companies today

Your business constantly needs to improve the protection of your end-customers’ identities, but the identity and access management (IAM) is regularly under threat.

  • Password vulnerability. Remembering various complicated usernames and passwords not only becomes frustrating to customers, but today’s hackers are more skilled than ever before and they’re not going away. Data is not only being stolen but even being held ransom and is a great threat to cybersecurity known as ransomware. A data breach can often place unnecessary strain on IT staff which can lead to slow productivity within the workplace.

  • Users are logging in from everywhere. Thanks to the cloud an increasing number of employees are relying on a mobile workplace, while at the same time accessing the company’s internal and Software as a Service (SaaS) applications. Protecting your organization from hackers and malware, while still offering users a consistent experience, has become increasingly challenging. Most businesses also allow employees to access internal applications from their various private devices, which puts your company’s personal data at risk and can make your resources susceptible to hackers and malware.

  • It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Workplaces have different needs, especially in today’s ever-changing digital landscape. Some of your customers may be regularly transacting from multiple locations while, in the case of a desk-bound clerk, an authentication dongle might be sufficient. The distributed network of growing applications that are being utilized by your customers amplifies the pressure to manage numerous user identities, not to mention the added costs and demands on your staff.

  • The threat landscape is constantly changing. The security system you implement needs to be ironclad and future-proof. It is vital that you choose a solution that can grow with your business and adapt to your constantly-changing client and employee needs. Customer service and efficiency is a priority for any business. Clients often feel unsafe sharing private information and it’s vital that your company ensures that they feel valued and protected.

  • Employees coming and going. As your company grows employees will join and leave the workplace and HR will need to handle provisioning and de-provisioning of credentials. From a manageability and compliance perspective this places a huge threat on securing your company’s data.

Overcoming user authentication challenges

If you face some of these challenges in your business, you need to start considering a trusted two-factor authentication (2FA) solution, which offers protection against hacks and data theft by providing a powerful security system that can’t easily be breached. Download Clickatell’s new buyers’ guide: two-factor authentication to read more on how to select a robust and reliable 2 step verification solution.

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