Passwords are frustrating. They’re hard to remember and easy to steal. Add to that the security best practice of requiring strong, unique passwords for every website… and we’re left with a recipe for frustration and vulnerability. 

Yet, as our world becomes more digitized, the need for robust online security has never been greater. This is where secure authentication methods and password managers come to the rescue. 

Let’s unravel the secrets of secure authentication to understand how to protect ourselves in this evolving digital landscape.

What is secure authentication?

Secure authentication is the process of proving you are who you claim to be when accessing an online account or service. This process establishes trust and grants access to sensitive information or resources, including your bank account, email, or company intranet.

It’s the equivalent of entering a combination into a locked safe or showing your ID at the bank when you want to make a withdrawal.

Importance of secure authentication

Authentication is essential to online security and modern life for multiple reasons:

• Prevent data breaches: Secure authentication safeguards against unauthorized access that can lead to data breaches and identity theft. According to IBM research, major data breaches can cost companies over $4.4 million each.
• Uphold trust: Businesses rely on secure authentication to comply with data protection standards and regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Protect brand reputation: A strong stance on cybersecurity is necessary in today’s digital society, which directly impacts brand reputation. Recent hotel trends and trends in other industries have found that brand reputation is becoming more critical than ever. Consequently, having secure authentication to protect guests’ data like their ID, Social Security numbers, and credit card details in hotel property management systems (PMS) is essential to maintain a strong brand reputation.
• Avoid lawsuits: Any professional services that handle sensitive client data must have secure authentication in place. States have different data security laws and what to do in case of a breach.

Forms of secure authentication

There are many ways to ensure robust and reliable authentication for online accounts and other systems:

#1 Password-based authentication

People have been using password authentication since 1961 when MIT computer science professor Fernando Corbato created the first computer password. This familiar method relies on a username (usually an email address) and password combination and is the most common form of user authentication used today.

This form of authentication falls under the “something you know” category. Popular passwords have several downsides, including being hard to remember and allowing anyone who knows your password-free access to your data.

Passwords are vulnerable to phishing scams, social engineering attacks, and brute-force attacks, especially if you use weak passwords or reuse the same password across sites. Consequently, a core part of online security relies on using unique, strong, secure passwords for every online account and app you use.

#2 Passwordless authentication with passkeys

Secure passwords are, by definition, hard to remember, which is an inconvenience, making passwordless authentication attractive. There are multiple ways to authenticate users without a password, but passkeys are getting all the attention.

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Passkeys use cryptography to eliminate the need for traditional passwords, making your accounts less susceptible to social engineering attacks, phishing, and other attacks. They also destroy the need to remember passwords since they’re created and stored on each device you use and verified “under the hood” without human intervention.

#3 Biometric scans

These fall under the “something you are” category. Biometric authentication includes facial recognition, fingerprint and iris scans, voice recognition, etc.

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Biometrics help prevent phishing ?and social engineering attacks and are almost invulnerable to brute-force attacks.

While convenient, these methods have limitations when used alone and are usually used in tandem with other forms of identity verification.

#4 Token-based authentication

Tokens add a valuable layer of security because they require something you physically have. There are two main types:

• Hardware tokens: These are dedicated devices that generate temporary authentication codes. They can appear as key fobs, USB sticks, or smart cards.
• Software Tokens (Authenticator Apps): These are apps installed on your smartphone or computer to generate similar temporary codes used in two-factor authentication or multi-factor authentication (more on that below).

#5 Certificate-based authentication

Digital certificates are like digital passports issued by trusted authorities called Certificate Authorities (CAs) using public-key cryptography. They verify the identities of individuals, websites, and devices.

Certificate-based authentication is often used in enterprise networks, secure websites (like banks), and secure email communications.

#6 Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication is the answer to the weaknesses of using the forms mentioned above for authentication separately. It adds extra layers of protection by requiring more than one factor to prove your identity.

The basic idea behind MFA is to provide:

• Something you have (like a personal computer or a mobile device)
• Something you are (a form of biometric authentication).
• Something you know (like your password)

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Two-factor authentication (2FA) is the most common type of MFA, requiring just one additional factor for an increased level of security (therefore, you need only two factors).

Password managers and secure authentication

A password manager is like a digital vault to keep your sensitive login information, like your passwords, safe. However, password managers today do much more than just store these details? — ?they’re critical tools for embracing secure authentication practices.

Password managers help you avoid weak, reused passwords, empowering you to adopt the strongest security methods.

How do password managers work?

At their core, all password managers help you:

• Store credentials securely: Your passwords are protected in an encrypted vault, accessible only with a master password and often additional security factors. Most offer unlimited password storage in heavily encrypted form using military-grade encryption algorithms like AES-256-bit or XChaCha20 encryption.
• Generate strong passwords: Password generators can create long, unique, and complex passwords for your accounts. They remove the guesswork and frustration and improve the user experience when using passwords.
• Autofill login forms: Another core password manager feature is they can directly fill in your login credentials on websites and apps, making the sign-in process faster and smoother.

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Most popular password managers also offer other basic features, such as browser extensions for all major browsers and dark web monitoring.

Premium features of password managers

Many password managers offer premium plans like individual, family, and business plans that unlock additional advanced features. Some of these additional features include:

#1 Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

As explained above, MFA adds that extra layer of protection to your password vault by requiring additional factors alongside your master password.

#2 Passkeys

Premium password managers often provide passkey support, enabling seamless passwordless logins on websites and services that support this technology.

#3 Single Sign-On (SSO)

SSO simplifies the login process across multiple connected systems, which is a big help in business environments. SSO effectively outsources authentication to a trusted identity provider or IdP.

Some password managers offer seamless integration with popular identity providers like Okta, Auth0, OneLogin, or Azure AD. They make logging in with IdPs quick and easy, and the IdP then signs you into all other connected services.

#4 Authentication apps

Some top-tier password managers can double as authenticator apps. This means they can generate temporary codes like one-time passwords (HOTPs and TOTPs) for 2FA and MFA.

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Strong passwords are no longer enough

In our digital world, secure authentication is no longer optional? — ?it’s critical.

The key is finding methods that work for you, protect your data, and give you peace of mind. Secure password managers make using strong authentication seamless. They improve our digital lives by allowing us to explore passwordless options or implement multiple security layers to avoid security breaches.

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