What is Adaptive Authentication?

Adaptive authentication is the technique of authenticating a user based on the risk level associated with a login attempt. Multi-factor authentication is an integral component of it. Typically, the initial authentication method automatically assesses the risk level, and if the fraud risk is minimal, the login is allowed. If the risk is high, step-up authentication is activated, and the user is prompted for another level of authentication. Ideally, the initial authentication mechanism utilized in this strategy should cause the least friction for users. In this manner, the majority of authenticated users will be able to log in with ease. Higher friction authentication techniques will be employed as additional stages for users who were identified as high-risk during the initial login attempt. Adaptive authentication is also known as risk-based authentication or context-based authentication since risk determines how easy it is for the user to log in. 

How does adaptive authentication work?

Adaptive authentication is a risk-based authentication method. This means that the primary system involved, the risk engine, will constantly determine the type of authentication mechanism to be used -- SMS codes, one-time passwords, certificate and so on -- as well as the level of authorization a user should have to applications based on location, device posture, and user risk profile. This determination is not just made upon login but is also assessed throughout the end user experience. 

The first step in identifying risk-based authentication solutions is to set the parameters that users must adhere to while logging into the system. As users seek to access systems, they will be awarded a risk factor score. These ratings are crucial because, depending on whether they are low, medium, or high, the user will be required to supply further information before the system can validate their identity. 

Authentication and authorization are the two most important processes in ensuring system security. The risk score is part of the authentication phase of the procedure. In any risk-based authentication solution, if the initial method of authentication fails to identify the user, the login is automatically classified as higher risk. Additional authentication methods can generate a risk score that ranges from low to high. 

When an authentication request has a high-risk score, one or more of the following MFA techniques may be triggered: 

• OTP over email: The user is notified of the login attempt by email and is prompted to enter the one-time password supplied via email.  
• Push authentication: The system authorizes access by sending a push notification to the user's trusted device and prompting the user to acknowledge it.
• OTP via SMS: An SMS notice of the authentication request is delivered to the user's smartphone. The user is prompted to provide a one-time password sent via SMS.

Benefits of adaptive authentication

Adaptive authentication has a number of advantages for both businesses and individuals. Adaptive authentication, also known as risk-based authentication, keeps low-risk operations from being burdensome and high-risk actions from being easily hacked. Context-based authentication evaluates user behavior to determine the appropriate security levels. 

Here's how adaptive authentication helps organizations: 

• It enables seamless authentication for users by lowering unnecessary heavy-handed authentication levels while safeguarding the system against fraudulent access requests.
• It provides a complete and up-to-date security layer by analyzing risk variables and customer behavior.
• It enables consumers, partners, and workers with flexible and secure access regardless of where they are located.
• Risk-based authentication detects only high-risk circumstances and helps to prevent needless lengthy authentication processes.
• It reduces entrance barriers and interruptions for users accessing non-sensitive information while providing high-security adaptive multi-factor authentication to those requesting access to sensitive gateways.
• It simplifies deployment and maintenance for IT personnel by reducing identity difficulties.
• Context-based authentication addresses BYOD (bring your own device) security concerns by distinguishing between mobile devices and their respective security risks.

Challenges of adaptive authentication

Adaptive authentication helps to secure our online accounts, but also has some considerations.  

Risks to adaptive authentication can occur when the system is wrongly set up, resulting in mistakes in which genuine people are mistakenly refused access or unauthorized ones obtain entrance. Improper setup of the machine learning algorithms and rules used in adaptive authentication might lead to the system misinterpreting user behavior or failing to appropriately assess authentication attempts. As a result, rigorous and precise implementation of adaptive authentication systems is required to mitigate such risks and guarantee solid security safeguards are in place. 

Furthermore, the knowledge about how we utilize websites to make these judgements may make some individuals concerned about their privacy. The risk of adaptive authentication includes greater complexity in the login procedure, which may occasionally mislead consumers. Adaptive authentication systems, which strive to improve security, incorporate extra levels of verification depending on user behavior and other variables. This extra complexity might make it difficult for users to traverse the login stages, perhaps resulting in dissatisfaction or delays in accessing their accounts. Simplifying user interfaces and offering clear instructions will help alleviate these issues and guarantee a more seamless login experience for all users.