What is the most common form of authentication used?

While just one facet of cybersecurity, authentication is the first line of defense. It is the process of determining whether a user is who they say they are. Not to be confused with the step it precedes—authorization—authentication is purely the means of confirming digital identification, so users have the level of permissions to access or perform a task they are trying to do.

There are many authentication technologies, ranging from passwords to fingerprints, to confirm the identity of a user before allowing access. Doing so adds a layer of protection and prevents security lapses like data breaches. Though, it’s often the combination of different types of authentication that provides secure system reinforcement against possible threats.

What are the types of authentication? 

Authentication keeps invalid users out of databases, networks, and other resources. These types of authentication use factors, a category of credential for verification, to confirm user identity. Here are just a few of those methods.

Single-Factor/Primary Authentication

Historically the most common form of authentication, Single-Factor Authentication, is also the least secure, as it only requires one factor to gain full system access. It could be a username and password, pin-number or another simple code. While user-friendly, Single-Factor authenticated systems are relatively easy to infiltrate by phishing, key logging, or mere guessing. As there is no other authentication gate to get through, this approach is highly vulnerable to attack.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

By adding a second factor for verification, two-factor authentication reinforces security efforts. It is an added layer that essentially double-checks that a user is, in reality, the user they’re attempting to log in as—making it much harder to break. With this method, users enter their primary authentication credentials (like the username/password mentioned above) and then must input a secondary piece of identifying information.

The secondary factor is usually more difficult, as it often requires something the valid user would have access to, unrelated to the given system. Possible secondary factors are a one-time password from an authenticator app, a phone number, or device that can receive a push notification or SMS code, or a biometric like fingerprint (Touch ID) or facial (Face ID) or voice recognition.

2FA significantly minimizes the risk of system or resource compromise, as it’s unlikely an invalid user would know or have access to both authentication factors. While two-factor authentication is now more widely adopted for this reason, it does cause some user inconvenience, which is still something to consider in implementation.

Single Sign-On (SSO)

With SSO, users only have to log in to one application and, in doing so, gain access to many other applications. This method is more convenient for users, as it removes the obligation to retain multiple sets of credentials and creates a more seamless experience during operative sessions.

Organizations can accomplish this by identifying a central domain (most ideally, an IAM system) and then creating secure SSO links between resources. This process allows domain-monitored user authentication and, with single sign-off, can ensure that when valid users end their session, they successfully log out of all linked resources and applications. 

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication is a high-assurance method, as it uses more system-irrelevant factors to legitimize users. Like 2FA, MFA uses factors like biometrics, device-based confirmation, additional passwords, and even location or behavior-based information (e.g., keystroke pattern or typing speed) to confirm user identity. However, the difference is that while 2FA always utilizes only two factors, MFA could use two or three, with the ability to vary between sessions, adding an elusive element for invalid users.

What are the most common authentication protocols? 

Authentication protocols are the designated rules for interaction and verification that endpoints (laptops, desktops, phones, servers, etc.) or systems use to communicate. For as many different applications that users need access to, there are just as many standards and protocols. Selecting the right authentication protocol for your organization is essential for ensuring secure operations and use compatibility. Here are a few of the most commonly used authentication protocols.

Password Authentication Protocol (PAP)

While common, PAP is the least secure protocol for validating users, due mostly to its lack of encryption. It is essentially a routine log in process that requires a username and password combination to access a given system, which validates the provided credentials. It’s now most often used as a last option when communicating between a server and desktop or remote device.

Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP)

CHAP is an identity verification protocol that verifies a user to a given network with a higher standard of encryption using a three-way exchange of a “secret.” First, the local router sends a “challenge” to the remote host, which then sends a response with an MD5 hash function. The router matches against its expected response (hash value), and depending on whether the router determines a match, it establishes an authenticated connection—the “handshake”—or denies access. It is inherently more secure than PAP, as the router can send a challenge at any point during a session, and PAP only operates on the initial authentication approval.

Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)

This protocol supports many types of authentication, from one-time passwords to smart cards. When used for wireless communications, EAP is the highest level of security as it allows a given access point and remote device to perform mutual authentication with built-in encryption. It connects users to the access point that requests credentials, confirms identity via an authentication server, and then makes another request for an additional form of user identification to again confirm via the server—completing the process with all messages transmitted, encrypted.

See how SailPoint integrates with the right authentication providers. 

As stated earlier, encryption is the process of taking all of the data that one computer is sending to another and encoding it into a form that only the other computer will be able to decode. Another process, authentication, is used to verify that the information comes from a trusted source. Basically, if information is "authentic," you know who created it and you know that it has not been altered in any way since that person created it. These two processes, encryption and authentication, work hand-in-hand to create a secure environment.

There are several ways to authenticate a person or information on a computer:

• Password - The use of a user name and password provides the most common form of authentication. You enter your name and password when prompted by the computer. It checks the pair against a secure file to confirm. If either the name or the password does not match, then you are not allowed further access.
• Pass cards - These cards can range from a simple card with a magnetic strip, similar to a credit card, to sophisticated smart cards that have an embedded computer chip.
• Digital signatures - A digital signature is basically a way to ensure that an electronic document (e-mail, spreadsheet, text file) is authentic. The Digital Signature Standard (DSS) is based on a type of public-key encryption method that uses the Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA). DSS is the format for digital signatures that has been endorsed by the U.S. government. The DSA algorithm consists of a private key, known only by the originator of the document (the signer), and a public key. The public key has four parts, which you can learn more about at this page. If anything at all is changed in the document after the digital signature is attached to it, it changes the value that the digital signature compares to, rendering the signature invalid.

Recently, more sophisticated forms of authentication have begun to show up on home and office computer systems. Most of these new systems use some form of biometrics for authentication. Biometrics uses biological information to verify identity. Biometric authentication methods include:

• Fingerprint scan
• Retina scan
• Face scan
• Voice identification

There are many types of authentication methods. These include: 

• Token authentication
• Password authentication Biometric authentication
• Multi-factor authentication
• Certificate-based authentication
• Identification Authentication methods
• API authentication methods
• User authentication methods
• Vault authentication methods
• Web application authentication methods
• Wireless authentication methods
• Email authentication methods
• Database authentication methods
• Payment authentication methods
• Server and network authentication methods
• Passport and document authentication methods
• Online banking authentication methods
• Web browser authentication methods
• Remote authentication methods
• Cryptography authentication methods
• Two-factor authentication 

In 2021, all sorts of applications are giving their users access to their service using a method of authentication, or multiple methods. Whether you use these services as a daily activity, part of a job, or access information to finish a specific task, you need to authenticate yourself in one way or another. This happens for security reasons - it is essential to make sure that users accessing protected information are who they claim to be.

Types of authentication can vary from one to another depending on the sensitivity of the information you're trying to access. Applications usually require different authentication methods, each corresponding to its risk level.

In this article, we'll dive deep into this topic and tell you about the various methods to authenticate users, ensure security, and find out which method is applicable for which authentication use case.

Before we go through different methods, we need to understand the importance of authentication in our daily lives. Imagine it as the first line of defence, allowing access to data only to users who are approved to get this information. In order to make this defence stronger, organisations add new layers to protect the information even more.

Some authentication factors are stronger than others. The level of security entirely depends on the information you try to access in each case. We live in an era of ever-increasing data breaches. Simple password credentials are not so sufficient anymore to authenticate users online. Companies and organisations set up multiple factors of authentication for more security. Each one of them has its unique strengths and weaknesses. This is why we need to understand the different methods to authenticate users online.

There are a lot of different methods to authenticate people and validate their identities. Different systems need different credentials for confirmation. Depending on each use case, this credential can either be a password, biometric authentication, two-factor authentication, a digital token, digital certificate, etc.

Here are the most common methods for successful authentication, which can ensure the security of your system that people use daily:

A protocol that allows users to verify themselves and receive a token in return. They can then access the website or app as long as that token is valid. This system works like a stamped ticket - it simplifies the verification procedure for users that have to access the same app, webpage, or resource, multiple times.

The most common form of authentication. In this case, you need to match one credential to access the system online. You can come up with passwords in the form of letters, numbers, or special characters. The more complex your password is , the better it is for the security of your account.

Biometric authentication verifies an individual based on their unique biological characteristics. The system can help you verify people in a matter of seconds. It stores authentic data and then compares it with the user's physical traits. There are different forms of Biometric Authentication. Let's go through some of them:

Face Match is Veriff's authentication and reverification method that allows users to validate themselves using their biometric features. The technology confirms that a returning customer is who they claim to be using biometric analysis.

Fingerprints are the most popular form of biometric authentication. The system to verify users with them mainly relies on mobile native sensing technology. Fingerprints are easy to capture, and the verification happens by comparing the unique biometric loop patterns.

This is a system that can analyze a person's voice to verify their identity. The technology relies on the fact that the way each human says something is unique - movement variation, accent, and many other factors distinguish us from one another.

Eye scans use visible and near-infrared light to check a person's iris. This form of Biometric Authentication is considered in the same category as facial recognition.

This system requires users to provide two or more verification factors to get access. It can be an online account, an application, or a VPN. MFA can be the main component of a strong identity and access management policy . Setting up this system properly for security purposes will decrease every chance of a successful cyberattack.

This form of authentication uses a digital certificate to identify a user before accessing a resource. You can use this solution for all endpoints - users, mobile device, machines, etc. This is what makes this form of authentication unique. Most of the certificate-based authentication solutions come with cloud-based management platforms that make it easier for administrators to manage, monitor and issue the new certificates for their employees.

As we can see from the list above, there are several secure authentication methods for users online and ensure that the right people access the right information. It might sound simple, but it has been one of the biggest challenges we face in the digital world. That's the reason why we have so many different methods to ensure security.

The measure of the effectiveness with every authentication solution is based on two main components - security and usability. Both of these components are crucial for every individual case. This is why we consider Biometric and Public-Key Cryptography (PKC) authentication methods as the most effective and secure from the given options. Both of them eliminate passwords and protect highly secure information. Usability is also a big component for these two methods - there is no need to create or remember a password.

As we mentioned before, you should choose the most suitable authentication method depending on your specific use case. There are lots of alternative solutions, and service providers choose them based on their needs. They have to authenticate users to access some database, receive an email, make payments, or access a system remotely.

Here are some examples of the most commonly used authentication methods such as two-factor authentication for each specific use case:

The most commonly used authentication method to validate identity is still Biometric Authentication. Think of the Face ID technology in smartphones, or Touch ID. These are the most popular examples of biometrics.

If you start working with third-party APIs, you'll see different API authentication methods. The most common ones for authentication are Basic Authentication, API Key, and OAuth. Each one of them ensures the information security on your platform.

As we mentioned before, there are many methods to authenticate users online and make sure that they are who they claim to be. The most common authentication methods for that are Single-Factor, Two-Factor, Single Sign-On, and Multi-Factor authentication.

In vault systems, authentication happens when the information about the user or machine is verified against an internal or external system. The most common authentication forms for these systems are happening via API or CLI.

There are several methods to authenticate web applications. It is important to handle security and protect visitors on the web. The most common authentication methods are Cookie-based, Token-based, Third-party access, OpenID, and SAML.

For Wi-fi system security, the first defence layer is authentication. There are different methods used to build and maintain these systems. It can be Open Authentication, or WPA2-PSK (Pre-shared key).

There are several different approaches to email authentication. The most commonly used standards are SPF, DFIM, AND DMARC. All of these standards supplement SMTP because it doesn't include any authentication mechanisms.

In this case, authentication is important to ensure that the right people access a particular database to use the information for their job. In this case, authentication happens either with the Security Socket Layer (SSL) protocol or using third party services.

This type of authentication exists to ensure that someone is not misusing other people's data to make online transactions. Most of the time, identity confirmation happens at least twice, or more. The most common methods are 3D secure, Card Verification Value, and Address Verification.

Just like in any other form of authentication, network-level authentication methods confirm that users are who they claim to be. In this case, the system distinguishes legitimate users from illegitimate ones. The most common forms are two-factor, tokens, computer recognition, and single-sign-on authentication methods.

The way we authenticate passports and other documents are through a database. Once users verify themselves, then they need to authenticate themselves to validate their user identities. The most commonly used practices for this can be Session-Based authentication and OpenID Connect authentication.

It is important for banks to have a proper authentication system set up, ensuring that users are who they say they are and not fraudsters. They use PIN numbers a lot, and other forms of knowledge-based identification. Also, they turn to Multi - Factor Authentication methods, which prevent the vast majority of attacks that rely on stolen credentials.

There are many options for developers to set up a proper authentication system for a web browser. Depending on a single use case and a goal, the most common methods are HTTP Basic Authentication, HTTP Digest Authentication, Session-based Authentication, and Token-based Authentication.

This type of authentication is important for companies who have a remote work policy to secure their sensitive information and protect data. The most common remote authentication methods are Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP), Microsoft's implementation of CHAP (MS-CHAP), and Password Authentication Protocol (PAP)

Cryptography is an essential field in computer security. It is one of the methods to transfer private information through open communication. In this case, only the receiver with the secret key can read the encrypted messages. The most common authentication methods are Password Authentication Protocol (PAP), Authentication Token, Symmetric-Key Authentication, and Biometric Authentication.