Best 6 Authentication Methods for Network Protection

In this blog, I will discuss authentication methods. What is authentication? And what types of authentication methods provide comprehensive network protection? Let’s begin!

Authentication isn’t only about logging into your account. It is much more important than that.  It determines a user’s identity and ensures that the person accessing a resource, system, or application is authentic. 

It basically prevents unauthorized users from accessing sensitive information. But, sometimes, the authentication process can be a big trouble as it might lock out the actual user from accessing the resources. 

Therefore, it is essential for the company to implement various types of authentication to enable users to gain access while maintaining network security.  To know about authentication methods and how they work, let’s dive deeper. 

What Is Authentication?

Authentication is the process of verifying a user’s identity before giving them access to a particular system/account. It is similar to a security check at an airport, where you must show your ID and ticket to prove you’re the right person before boarding.

Just like that, in the digital sphere, authentication verifies your identity before granting access to apps, accounts, dashboards, or any network that requires protection. 

What Is the Purpose Of Authentication?

As I mentioned above, the main purpose of authentication is to verify a user’s identity before accessing any particular network or account. It means that authentication basically prevents unauthorized access and protects sensitive data by confirming a user’s identity using different methods, including:  

• PIN, or Password
• Security Key
• Face recognition
• Fingerprint or Biometrics

Shortly, we can say that authentication acts as the first line of defense against cyberattacks.

What Are the Benefits Of Authentication?

User authentication offers multiple benefits. At its core, the primary advantage is reducing the risk of a data breach. Other than that, authentication covers a company with: 

1. Authorization secures systems, networks, and applications by identifying identities and ensuring only authorized access to sensitive data. 
2. It helps industries such as finance and healthcare comply with data protection laws and regulations, which require them to protect confidential information. Strong user authentication helps these industries to meet the desired criteria for data protection. 
3. User authentication also helps companies monitor user activity, which enables them to create audit reports for investigating suspicious behavior or resolving disputes. 
4. With the help of user authentication, companies can prevent the risk of identity theft. Users are required to provide assigned credentials before accessing a particular program, which minimizes the identity theft.
5. Overall, authentication empowers a system’s security and gives a secure and trusted way of accessing information that boosts trust between users and organizations.

Best 6 Authentication Methods for Network Protection 

Below, I will give you a detailed analysis of the 6 best authentication methods that will rule this year. These days, network security demands require much more than just basic passwords. Threats are getting advanced, so must your defense system. Therefore, here we present the best authentication methods that verify a user’s identity using multiple factors, including biometrics, behaviour, devices, and more. 

1. Multifactor Authentication 
2. Passwordless Authentication
3. Password-Based Authentication
4. Biometric Authentication
5. Single Sign-On (SSO) Authentication
6.  Token-Based Authentication

Authentication Methods for Network Protection— In-depth Analysis 

1. Multifactor Authentication 

Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, is an authentication method in which a user is required to provide additional verification information to gain access to any specific account or network. Besides a username and password, MFA requires an extra verification factor, such as a phone number or fingerprints, which reduces the likelihood of a cyberattack.

How does it work: MFA works with additional verification information. The most common MFA factors are OTO (one-time passwords). OTPs are 4-8-digit codes that you often receive via SMS, email, or a mobile app. Using the OPT, a new code is formed periodically when an authentication request is sent.  

The OTP is generated using a special starting value (called a seed) that is unique to each user when they submit a sign-up request. Along with this seed, the system also uses another changing value, like a counter that increases each time a code is made or the current time, to generate a code that’s valid only for a short moment or for one use.

2. Passwordless Authentication 

Passwordless Authentication is an authentication type in which users are allowed to gain access to a network or account without entering a password. Rather, the users provide some other identical information to prove their identity. For example, they may provide a fingerprint, a proximity badge, or even a hardware token code. 

Since Passwordless Authentication also requires additional identity information, just like MFA, both MFA and passwordless authentication are used in conjunction to strengthen the overall network access security. 

How does it work: Passwordless authentication replaces typical passwords with other  intrinsically safer  authentication factors. Instead of asking for a password, this authentication method sends an OTP, a magic link, or a biometric scan (Face ID, or fingerprint), or it may also send a push notification to an authentication app. As soon as the users confirm their identity with these secure methods, access is granted. This authentication method is useful in reducing the password-related attacks, just like phishing, brute-force attacks, or credential stuffing, by removing the password entirely from the login process. 

3. Password-Based Authentication 

Password-based authentication is quite a traditional authentication method. It is widely used in organizations worldwide. 

How does it work? In this authentication method, a user’s identity is verified by asking the user to enter a specific, secret password that they created during registration. The entered password is then compared to the stored (hashed password version) in the system’s database. If the entered password matches the stored data, access is granted. 

While it’s the most common authentication method, it has many security risks. Reused or weak passwords can be cracked easily. Furthermore, these passwords can be compromised through brute-force attacks, phishing, or data breaches. That’s why advanced systems now pair passwords with additional layers of security, such as two-factor authentication (2FA), or rely completely on passwordless methods for stronger protection.

4. Biometric Authentication

Biometric Authentication is one of the best authentication methods. It is a cybersecurity process that involves using a user’s biological traits to verify their identity. These biological traits may include a user’s fingerprint, facial features, voice, and even retina. Biometric authentication systems save this information to verify a user’s identity when they attempt to access their account. Also, biometric authentication is much safer than traditional password-based and MFA authentication systems. 

How does it work? This authentication method stores a person’s chosen trait at the time of setting up the authentication method. During login, the system matches the user’s biometric data and compares it to the stored version. If the new scan matched the saved version, access is granted. Since biometric traits are unique to each individual and impossible to replicate, therefore, this method is considered highly secure and convenient.

5. Single Sign-On (SSO) Authentication

Single Sign-on (SSO) is one of the authentication methods that uses a single set of credentials to access multiple applications and websites. It is a simple and useful authentication method for remote workers who mostly depend on software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications, including Google Workspace, Zoom, and Slack. This authentication method offers a simple login page with a single password that grants access to all the integrated apps. 

How does it work:  SSO acts like digital keys that verify a user’s identity. When a user logs into a service using SSO login, an authentication token is generated and gets stored in the user’s browser or SSO’s central authentication service (CAS) server.  The requested website or app will then verify the user’s identity using the SSO service, which transmits the user’s token to provide access without requiring them to log in again. This process ensures a seamless and safe experience across different networks and accounts.

6. Token-Based Authentication

Token-based authentication is a security protocol that enables users to verify their identity and receive a unique access token. This token is also known as an access token, which enables users to access services or platforms without having to enter their login credentials each time they visit. Instead, the user logs in once, and a unique token is generated and shared with connected applications or websites to verify their identity

How does it work? Once deployed successfully, the token authentication process takes place for every request received from a network resource or server. The process consists of four main steps. 

Firstly, the user makes an access request to a network by submitting the password or biometric data to the server. Secondly, the server compares the user’s credentials with the stored data to verify and confirm the access request. In the third step, the server generates a token that is unique to the users, their device, and the credential data they used during the request. Lastly, the token is kept stored on the server and keeps the session active until the user logs out.

Difference Between Authentication and Authorization

Authentication and authorization usually sound similar, but they are entirely different concepts. Authentication is about proving your identity to the system using your credentials or biometric traits to demonstrate to the system that it’s you, thereby gaining access. However, authorization occurs after authentication. In authorization, the system determines what you are allowed to do, such as whether you can access specific files, use certain features, or enter different parts of a website or app. First, the system verifies your identity (authentication), and then it determines what you’re allowed to do (authorization).

Conclusion – Best Authentication Methods

There comes a wrap! You may have heard about different types of authentication. However, for businesses, it is essential to analyze and implement the best authentication method that suits their system and users. Among all the discussed authentication methods, biometric authentication is the most effective so far. It stands out as one of the most effective solutions because it eliminates the need to remember long, complex passwords. Moreover, it also makes it super hard for attackers to steal credentials. That is how it minimizes the risk of data breaches, which is a topmost concern in today’s digital world.