Submitted by indraraj.wso2.com on Wed, 12/04/2024 - 00:44
Strong Authentication
Protect your users and your organization against unauthorized access with a robust additional layer of security.
Take authentication further than the standard username and password with more stringent methods. Confirm users’ identity to protect against cyber attacks including phishing, identity theft, and more.
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What is Strong Authentication?
Strong authentication provides an extra layer of security that helps protect online accounts. It requires an additional login step beyond a user’s regular username and password to verify a user’s identity.
This extra layer makes it much harder for an unauthorized individual to access another user’s account, even if they know the user’s regular login details. It helps organizations protect against various types of cyberattacks, such as phishing and identity theft.
Strong authentication is a type of multi-factor authentication (MFA). The key distinction is that strong authentication typically involves a more stringent and robust second factor of authentication, such as a facial scan or smart card, which is very difficult for attackers to duplicate.
Benefits of Strong Authentication
Enhanced Security
The key benefit of strong authentication is enhanced security. Strong authentication significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if a user's credentials are compromised.
Protection Against Fraud
Strong authentication can help prevent fraudulent activities such as identity theft and unauthorized financial transactions.
Data Protection
Strong authentication significantly reduces the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches, which can save organizations from financial losses, reputational damage, and legal liabilities.
Regulatory Compliance
Many regulations, such as the European Union's Payment Services Directive (PSD2), mandate the use of strong authentication. By implementing strong authentication, organizations can ensure they are compliant with these regulations.
How Does Strong Authentication Work?
Strong authentication requires users to provide another type of verification beyond traditional usernames and passwords.
After a username and password combination is accepted, the strong authentication system prompts the user to present their additional verification. For strong authentication, the additional verification must be provided in the form of something the user possesses (something they have), or a personal characteristic of the user (something they are).
Here are some common strong authentication methods:
- Physical hardware token
- Physical authentication key
- Smart card with cryptographic certificate
- Fingerprint scan
- Facial scan
- Push notification to the user’s mobile device
