Category: MFA

Protecting IT Systems: Why MFA is Essential for the Security of Tech Businesses

While the share of employees working remotely worldwide has increased significantly in recent years, to 28% in 2023, IT has the highest share of employees working primarily remotely by industry, with 67% of employees reporting working remotely.

This means that the IT industry has unique security challenges that need to be addressed by a strong security solution that protects sensitive systems in IT companies. That’s where Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) comes in.

MFA adds an extra layer of safety for critical systems, factoring in risk context to prevent unauthorized access and secure sensitive data. As an enterprise identity and access management (IAM) solution, Akku brings you a robust MFA module that you can roll out quickly and cost-effectively. 

Here’s how Akku MFA improves security for IT businesses…

Securing Development Environments 

Development environments – used for coding, testing, and software development – are high-risk areas. If not properly safeguarded, they are potential focal points for data breaches and attacks.

Akku secures these environments, as well as associated cloud platforms and repositories, through multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA can help prevent the impersonation of authorized users through credential misuse.

Akku MFA is also equipped with adaptive MFA, which flags unusual login attempts to trigger an intelligent step-up authentication process. This requires the entry of additional authentication factors as needed before granting access and works on any authentication point, including remote desktops. Since it doesn’t blindly demand an additional authentication factor for every login attempt, it reduces login fatigue while securing these critical systems.

As a result, Akku MFA:

  • Protects Intellectual Property by keeping unwanted users away from sensitive development environments. This prevents project data from falling into the wrong hands.
  • Prevents Data Breaches by implementing multiple forms of verification as needed, preventing unauthorized login.
  • Improves Internal Team Security by restricting access to verified team members alone.

In addition, Akku MFA seamlessly integrates with all commonly used development tools, making access security easy and maximizing productivity.

Safeguarding Admin Access to Critical Systems

System administrators require blanket access to various vital systems and confidential information. This is essential for productivity and efficient operations. On the other hand, this means that misuse of admin access can pose a serious security risk.

Without proper security measures, stolen passwords or insider threats can lead to unauthorized access, data leaks, and system problems. A strong authentication system helps confirm identities and block unauthorized entry.

Akku MFA introduces an additional layer of security through multi-factor authentication and adaptive MFA, which dramatically reduce the risk of impersonation and credential misuse. This ensures that even if passwords are lost or compromised, only authorized administrators can access these critical internal systems.

Akku MFA can:

  • Prevent Unauthorized Admin Access ensuring only fully verified admins control critical systems, sharply reducing hacking risks and unauthorized access.
  • Reduce Insider Threats by reducing the risk of intra-team credential theft and misuse.
  • Strengthen Network Security by safeguarding critical admin access points, thereby minimizing the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches.

Akku MFA can integrate with multiple major tools and platforms, making it an ideal security solution for managing all aspects of mission-critical tech systems.

 

By implementing MFA, your IT businesses can strengthen access security, protect critical systems, and stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. And by choosing Akku MFA, you benefit from seamless integration, adaptive authentication, and a comprehensive authentication factors library. Don’t wait for a security breach – take control now.

Upgrading security: The advantages of Adaptive MFA over standard MFA


What do you think the world’s third-largest economy is? According to Cybersecurity Ventures, it’s cybercrime. Their report says the global annual cost of cybercrime may hit USD 9.5 trillion in 2024 and reach $10.5 trillion by 2025, literally making it “the world’s third-largest economy after the U.S. and China”. Ransomware is the “most immediate threat” on a global scale, with damages costing victims nearly USD 265 billion annually by 2031, a drastic increase from $42 billion expected in 2024.

One thing is clear: In today’s digital landscape, security is more critical than ever.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA), which became mainstream in the mid-2000s, has been a key tool in enhancing security for over two decades, safeguarding online accounts by requiring multiple forms of identification, thereby adding layers of protection against unauthorized access. However, as threats have evolved, so too needs more sophisticated security measures, leading to the development of Adaptive MFA (AMFA).

Traditional MFA and its benefits

Traditional MFA improves security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of identification before accessing a system. This typically includes:

1. Something the user knows (Knowledge Factor): Like a password or a PIN.

2. Something the user owns (Possession Factor): Such as a smartphone or a security token.

3. Something that the user is (Inherence Factor): A biometric identifier like a fingerprint.

These layers of security make it much harder for unauthorized users to gain access, as they would need to bypass multiple barriers. MFA thereby reduces the risk associated with traditional single-factor authentication, which relies only on usernames and passwords.

Limitations of Traditional MFA

Traditional MFA applies the same security checks to all users, regardless of the context, which can sometimes create unnecessary friction. As the digital environment became more complex, the limitations of traditional or static MFA became more apparent.

That’s what led to Adaptive MFA (AMFA)

AMFA, also known as risk-based authentication, adds an ‘intelligent’ layer that assesses the context and risk of each login attempt. By analyzing factors such as user behavior, location, and device type, AMFA can adjust the authentication requirements accordingly, providing a more effective security solution. It evaluates the context of each access attempt—such as the user’s location, device, and behavior—and adjusts the security requirements based on the assessed risk.

What makes MFA adaptive?

AMFA uses key elements to assess the risk level of each login attempt and determine the appropriate level of security, for example:

  • Geolocation: The physical location of the login attempt is analyzed. Unusual or unexpected locations may trigger additional authentication steps.
  • Device Recognition: The system checks whether the device being used is recognized or trusted. New or unknown devices might require more stringent verification.
  • Behavioral Biometrics: Adaptive MFA can monitor and analyze user behavior, such as typing patterns or navigation habits, to detect anomalies that could indicate a security threat.

How does it work exactly?

Adaptive MFA couples the authentication process with real-time risk analysis. When a user attempts to log in, the system compares their current behavior and context against an established risk profile, which outlines what is considered normal for that user. If the login attempt falls within the expected parameters, access is granted with minimal additional verification. However, if the attempt appears unusual—such as logging in from a new location or device—the system assigns a higher risk score and triggers additional security challenges like answering security questions, entering a one-time password sent to a registered device, or providing biometric verification. AMFA may also use machine learning and artificial intelligence to continuously monitor user behavior throughout the session.

Key Benefits of AMFA over MFA

 

Security that adjusts based on assessed risk

Unlike static MFA, which applies the same security measures universally, AMFA evaluates contextual factors to ensure that only authorized users gain access. This dynamic approach makes it much harder for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities.

Improved user experience

Traditional MFA can be cumbersome, especially when users need to log in frequently or from familiar devices. AMFA streamlines the process by only triggering additional authentication steps when necessary.

Streamlines access from recognized devices

AMFA also improves efficiency by recognizing trusted devices and routine login behaviors. For example, if an employee regularly logs in from the same device and location during business hours, Adaptive MFA might allow them to access their account with minimal verification.

 

When considering an AMFA solution, Akku offers a standout option that combines security with a user-friendly platform. Protect your systems more effectively. Reach out to Akku today.

Passwordless Authentication 101: What it is, How you can adopt it, and Why it’s the future

To stick with passwords or to go passwordless is a million-dollar cyber security question. Resetting, remembering, and changing passwords regularly is not only frustrating but puts critical information at risk. But at the same time, have we reached a point where we can realistically remove passwords entirely from our authentication processes?

The drawbacks of passwords

Strong passwords are difficult to remember, and weak passwords are too easy to hack. Additionally, overuse of the same passwords across multiple platforms can result in breaches during credential stuffing attacks.

According to a report from LastPass, weekly time spent managing users’ passwords and login information has increased 25% since 2019. The report also says that 85% of employees agree that their organization should reduce the number of passwords required to be used daily. And according to Verizon data, 81% of data breaches involve weak, default, or stolen passwords.

What is Passwordless Authentication?

Passwordless authentication is user-friendly and secure and brings to the table reduced IT costs by eliminating password-related risks, increased productivity as employees save time remembering or updating passwords, and stronger security. In short, passwordless authentication is both convenient and secure.

Passwordless authentication relies on the same principles as digital certificates, on public and private keys. Think of the public key as the padlock and the private key as the key that unlocks it. With digital certificates, there is only one key for the padlock and only one padlock for the key. For passwordless authentication, a cryptographic key pairs with a private and a public key. A user wishing to create a secure account uses a mobile app to generate a public-private key pair, where the public key is provided to the system, and the private key is accessed from the user’s local device using an authentication factor such as an OTP. 

Here are some ways you can go passwordless

  • Single Sign-on or SSO
    It simplifies managing access and provides employees an easy and secure way to log in. Also, it allows IT to provision or deprovision access as needed. However, while SSO reduces the number of passwords required, it often demands a single password to access all applications.
  • Biometrics
    Fingerprints, face, iris, voice, and other biometric parameters are used as they are considered more challenging to hack than alphanumeric codes. They are also convenient to use, as they cannot be misplaced, stolen or forgotten.
  • Hard tokens
    They allow access to software after verification with a physical device.
  • OTPs
    Users are asked to input the code sent to them via email or SMS. OTPs provide an additional layer to security and are more secure than static passwords. OTPs are often used as a second layer of authentication, but can even replace static passwords.
  • Private keys
    An alphanumeric string is processed through an algorithm, to encrypt or decrypt data.
  • Magic Links
    Users enter their email address in a form, and then an email is sent with a login link.
  • Push Notifications
    Users receive a push notification on their mobile devices through a dedicated authenticator app for identity verification.

Passwordless authentication methods are compatible across most devices and systems. Plus, they’re virtually impervious to phishing and other common cyberattacks.

So, is passwordless authentication the future?

Passwordless methods offer both a more secure and a more convenient way to authenticate users. So the simple answer is, yes, they are the future.

However, considering how ubiquitous passwords are today, they certainly aren’t going to disappear overnight. So until passwordless methods gain in popularity, it’s important to continue to do all you can to ensure strong passwords to secure your applications and data.

Whether you are ready to take the leap to passwordless, or are looking for a way to make your password based authentication more secure, Akku can help you enhance security and productivity across your environment. Talk to us today to see how we can help.

 

6 Password Policy Management Best Practices for a more secure IT environment

Remote working has impacted the world of cybersecurity in multiple ways. Remote workers are often not protected by enterprise-level security and so are more prone to cyberattack. The FBI reported a 300% increase in cybercrimes since the pandemic began, and remote work has increased the average cost of a data breach substantially. 

Employees working from home are also distracted – 

“47% of remote workers cited distraction as the reason for falling for a cyberattack.”

In other words, if you do not have a plan in place to mitigate these risks, you are setting yourself up for a potentially devastating cybersecurity breach.

One simple way to protect your organization from breaches is to apply a strong password policy at all levels of the organization, and enforce it by implementing a secure password policy management solution (PPM).

Here are some password policy best practices you may find useful.

1. Increase password length and strength

Brute force attacks try all possible combinations of characters to arrive at the password. A 6 string password with only upper or lower case letters can be cracked in 8 seconds. An 18 character password with upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols can take 1 quintillion years to crack! By adding a special character, combining both upper and lower case letters or adding numbers, encryption can be much more secure.

 

Image Credit: ghacks.net

The full strength of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) comes to bear when users create passwords of 32 characters for 128-bit encryption and 64 characters for 256-bit encryption. However, passwords of around 10 characters are strong enough for most applications.

2. Simplify as much as possible

A password made of only numbers has 10 options for each character in the string, one made of numbers and letters has 36 options, and if you include special characters that adds another 32 possible characters for each spot in the string. This makes it more challenging for brute force attacks to be successful. Complexity in terms of the kind of characters that can be used in the password is, therefore, an advantage.

However, do not mandate the usage of these different kinds of characters. This can lead to frustration and reuse of the same password with minor character substitutions (P@ssword or Passw0rd, for example). This is especially the case when the policy also demands frequent changes of password. If the old password is compromised, such minor variations will be relatively easy to guess, too.

To mitigate this risk, don’t mandate the use of special characters and reduce the frequency of mandatory password reset to approximately once a year. A long password using only lowercase letters is more secure than a short one which is a variant of an older password.

3. Do not allow password reuse

Do not allow reuse of earlier passwords during periodic password reset to increase security. Train your staff not to use minor variations of their earlier passwords, and instead look for completely different passwords.

Also train staff on the risks of reusing passwords across home and work accounts. Password reuse results in a huge surge in credential stuffing attacks. If any service is compromised and your password and username are stolen, hackers could use the same credentials to try and hack your other accounts. Each account must therefore use unique credentials to maintain security.

4. Reinforce passwords using multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication uses a combination of things you know, such as a password or PIN; things you have, such as a badge or smartphone; and things you are, such as biometric data, to authenticate your right to access a particular system, data or application.

Enabling MFA ensures that even if a password is stolen, the system is not compromised.

5. Use a secure password manager

Many users find it difficult to remember their passwords for multiple online services, and so either use a single password for all, or, worse, save all their passwords to an unreliable password manager. 

If you do opt for a password manager, choose one that is highly secure, in order to mitigate the risk involved. Most IAM solutions will include a password manager or, with Single Sign-on, completely do away with the need for multiple passwords. A single secure password is enough to log on to your IAM and access your applications and data.

6. Use an IAM application for Password Policy Management (PPM)

It’s one thing to lay down rules for password policy across the organization. It’s quite another to enforce the policy. An Identity Access Management (IAM) application can help you ensure that all your users consistently comply with a high standard of security while setting their passwords, without the need for a separate password policy enforcement tool.

Administrators can customize and define password policy for all users in the organization. You can also specify upon whom the policy should be enforced, based on the users’ access level. Password policies can of course also be defined as blanket rules.

A common perception is that the risks associated with breached passwords do not apply to your organization as you have secure systems. But your organization’s data security is only as strong as the weakest password of your users. In 2020, 770 million credential stuffing attacks occurred. That means that if your employee’s personal passwords are compromised, and they have reused the same password at work, your data is compromised too. Worse, 17% of all sensitive files are accessible to all employees, and about 60% of companies have over 500 accounts with non-expiring passwords.

Implementing a robust Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution brings you several steps closer to protecting your user credentials and corporate data. Worldwide, cybercrime costs will hit $6 trillion annually this year. Don’t let your organization succumb to a Data breach! With these simple steps, you can stay safe with multiple layers of data protection. Allow our team at Akku to help you secure your systems.

Password Spray Attacks: What Are They & How To Avoid Them?

Ever wondered why organizations emphasize the importance of setting a complicated password as opposed to something convenient like ‘password123’? In today’s world, hackers are getting creative with their cybersecurity attacks. One type of attack that has gained a lot of traction in the past year is ‘password spraying’ – a type of brute force attack in the cybersecurity realm that goes beyond the traditional forms of hacking into an account. 

Picture this – in the past, hackers would attempt to gain unauthorized access to a single account by constantly guessing the password in a short period of time. But with organizations bringing measures such as locking an account when three or more attempts have been made, the user gets notified about any attempted security breach.  Continue reading Password Spray Attacks: What Are They & How To Avoid Them?

Myths about Multi-factor Authentication

When large organizations like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook report password hacks, it throws some light on how vulnerable current systems are, as well as the need for multi-factor authentication. However, multi-factor authentication is shrouded in myths that may prevent organizations from adopting it. 

Here, we have addressed a few of the most common myths surrounding multi-factor authentication. Continue reading Myths about Multi-factor Authentication

Web Authentication – The Future of Going Passwordless

Best practices and common sense dictate that we use unique, hard-to-guess passwords for each application that we use. However, most of us place convenience over security and give in to the worst password habit – using a single, easy-to-remember password across all our applications. This is simply because of the management of multiple passwords, each following different password policy rules, can be difficult. The problem with this approach is that our single password if hacked or even guessed successfully, can be used in a credential stuffing attack to gain access to several of our personal accounts.  Continue reading Web Authentication – The Future of Going Passwordless

What is Continuous Authentication?

Technology users today are spoilt for choice when it comes to the types of devices and the variety of platforms through which they can stay connected to work and social groups. They can access their accounts from simply anywhere and at any time, as long as they can authenticate their identities.

However, the process of authentication as we know it has remained largely static – the user provides the system with their credentials at the time of access, the system matches it against its database of user data and provides the user access to the network on successfully validating their credentials.

Continuous authentication brings in a new approach to network security, and the reception it has received goes to show the importance companies attach to their security today. Continuous authentication can help your organization protect itself from ‘session imposters’ who try to take over sessions which are open even after the employee is done using them. It also helps you protect your network from credential stuffing attacks and phishing.

What is Continuous Authentication?

In continuous authentication, users are rated based on ‘authentication scores’ which aim to determine, based on user behavior, if the user is actually who he/she is claiming to be. With advanced algorithms which are fast becoming smart enough to understand human behavior, networks can essentially monitor user behavior to determine a user’s authenticity. 

For example, in a banking application, if the security solution detects an anomaly in user behavior, it can prompt a logout or request for additional information like fingerprint or password to ensure that the account is used only by the designated person.

Continuous authentication has become powerful enough to analyze information from the various sensors of smartphones and other devices to monitor the pressure on the keypad, the amount of time being spent on an application etc. 

With certain continuous authentication solutions, organizations can also assign restrictions based on tolerable risk by specifying the minimum confidence score and factors like a user’s location or time of the access request. 

When you implement a continuous authentication solution, think in terms of acceptable risk and context – certain applications in your network might need lower authentication scores than other, more critical, applications. 

While planning to deploy a continuous authentication system, it is also important to ensure that it is compatible with your existing security solution and covers all the areas of your organization’s network.

We understand that cybersecurity is becoming more fluid and security solutions are becoming more powerful and customizable. Akku’s DNS filtering and geolocation features can be used to score your users, and this information can be used to continuously authenticate them. To know more about how we can help you, get in touch with us now.