Password or Passwordless (Modern Authentication)

From simple passwords to complex passwords, to changing passwords every 90 days and using password vaults, you've been there and done it all, but now it's time to adopt the modern authentication methods!

The key criteria for modern authentication includes adopting multi-factor authentication (MFA), centralizing management of authentication methods, leveraging passwordless technologies, and maintaining adaptability against evolving threats.

Key Criteria for Modern Authentication

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

  • If you don't have MFA setup for your accounts, STOP here, and enable that first!

  • It's a no brainer; MFA is now a baseline requirement. It ensures users verify identity with at least two factors (something they know, have, or are).

  • Modern MFA solutions should support

    • Biometrics (facial recognition, fingerprint),

    • Hardware tokens (USB, NFC), and

    • Mobile push notifications (Microsoft Auth, App based push notifications, think Bank logins)

• Passwordless Authentication - (You are probably already using this with your phones)

  • Reduces reliance on passwords, which are vulnerable to phishing and credential stuffing. (Don't be clicking those Phishy links!)

  • Options include biometrics (fingerprint, facial recognition), FIDO2 security keys, and mobile authenticator apps.

• Centralized Management of Authentication Methods

  • Converged authentication systems allow organizations to manage all methods (password reset, MFA, biometrics) in one place. - Microsoft Entra ID, IAM, Auth methods etc.

  • This improves visibility, control, and the ability to target specific user groups.

  • Policies: Security Notifications, Conditional Access policies, Location based access etc.

• Fraud Detection & Adaptive Security

  • Modern systems integrate fraud alerts and risk-based authentication, adjusting requirements based on context (e.g., location, device, behavior).

  • AI-driven anomaly detection helps identify suspicious login attempts.

• User Experience & Accessibility

  • Authentication must be secure but also frictionless

  • Criteria include:

    • Universality (works for all users)

    • Acceptability (users are willing to adopt) and

    • Performance (fast and reliable)

• Scalability & Cloud Readiness - (Th!nk - SSO for Enterprises)

  • Authentication should support SaaS and cloud-native environments.

  • Modern solutions must integrate easily with APIs, identity providers, and federated login systems.

• Resilience Against Spoofing & Attacks

  • Strong authentication methods must resist spoofing, replay attacks, and phishing.