Patricia Lacey Ensuring that only legitimate remote employees have access to the network is paramount for any enterprise. Telecommuting has been gaining traction in recent years because of technological innovations and the need to adapt to a changing business environment. Moreover, decision-makers are concerned about the welfare of their industry and the growing demand for adept workers. Accordingly, the remote workforce is seen as the solution to address these issues.
Allowing staff to work off-premise also played a vital role during the COVID-19 global health crisis. Organizations needed to work around pandemic protocols without risking their employees’ health.
Remote work has many advantages, but unprepared firms might be at risk of fraudulent attacks. Numerous enterprises still rely on outdated identity verification processes like passwords to safeguard their system. However, passwords do not verify the user’s identity and only confirm that the person knows this information.
Companies must replace these conventional identity authentication methods with an effective passwordless system. Several providers offer solutions that harness more sophisticated identity proofing technology than knowledge-based credentials. For example, many Identity as a Service (IDaaS) vendors follow the FIDO2 authentication standard in their technology to ensure robust security and better fraud prevention capabilities.
FIDO2 uses multifactor authentication (MFA) that leverages a combination of solid credentials like biometrics (something you are) and device-based cryptographic keys (something you have). Upon creating a trusted identity at onboarding, telecommuters can opt for passwordless login and register their devices to their accounts.
The premise of this identity proofing method is that the on-device credentials cannot be unlocked unless the biometric authentication factor is provided. Additionally, many mobile devices now have built-in chips that safeguard the biometric enrollment template to prevent it from being extracted from the device. These modern solutions enable layered security that is not susceptible to circumvention tactics used against passwords. They also provide a seamless user experience, improving remote workers’ productivity.
To learn more on the matter, check this infographic created by authID that discusses the demand for biometric identity assurance in the remote workforce.
