Mitigating Credential Compromise: Info-Tech Publishes Blueprint for Modern Authentication and Safeguarding Digital Identities

Global research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group has released research insights on identity authentication practices. The firm offers a comprehensive roadmap for organizations to enhance their identity authentication practices and safeguard digital identities. This new blueprint is a crucial resource for security leaders looking to strengthen their organization's security posture and protect against an increasingly complex and evolving landscape of cyber threats.

TORONTO, Aug. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - With cyber threats continuing to escalate and digital identities becoming increasingly vulnerable, traditional authentication methods are proving inadequate. Organizations are now facing growing pressure to adopt more sophisticated approaches to identity management. To address these challenges, Info-Tech Research Group has published its blueprint Modernize Your Identity Authentication Practices. This resource provides security leaders with the tools and strategies needed to develop a robust authentication framework that adapts to the demands of the modern digital world.

"As we continue to shift to a world where our digital footprint is expanding, it is important to ensure we protect our digital identities against the known and unknown threats that have negatively impacted organizations' authentication practices," says Ahmad Jowhar, research analyst at Info-Tech Research Group. "The rise in credential compromise attacks, coupled with the weak authentication measures of traditional methods, depicts the need for a framework that will protect user identities while enabling continuous improvement in an evolving threat landscape."

The firm's resource stresses the need for organizations to modernize identity authentication processes to mitigate risks associated with credential compromise. By implementing an advanced authentication framework, organizations can enhance security, reduce vulnerabilities, and protect digital identities from increasingly sophisticated threats.

"A modernized authentication roadmap would leverage industry standards to assess an organization's risk posture and existing methods, helping to determine the most appropriate authentication levels and associated practices," explains Jowhar. "The roadmap would also ensure that critical identities are prioritized and deployed with applicable standards, policies, and metrics that encompass authentication best practices. By developing and implementing a plan to modernize authentication practices, organizations can continuously improve their authentication lifecycle and identity and access management program."

In the blueprint, Info-Tech highlights the importance of developing a dynamic and adaptive identity authentication strategy. By focusing on continuous improvement, organizations can address immediate threats and anticipate future challenges. The firm advises organizations to adopt a risk-based approach to authentication, incorporating technologies such as multifactor authentication (MFA) and adaptive authentication to strengthen security. This proactive strategy ensures that authentication practices remain resilient and scalable as the digital landscape evolves.

To guide security leaders and their organizations through modernizing identity authentication practices, the blueprint details the following three critical areas of focus:

1. Determine Current Authentication Assurance Levels (AALs): Evaluate existing authentication methods to ensure alignment with the organization's risk profile. This includes identifying the most appropriate authentication levels based on specific threats faced.
2. Develop Authentication Roadmap: Establish internal benchmarks, create budgets, and streamline the implementation process to effectively manage authentication initiatives. Doing so ensures the initiatives align with the organization's overall security strategy.
3. Deploy Authentication Roadmap: Implement the appropriate authentication solutions by formalizing policies that align with organizational goals to ensure that the authentication framework is scalable and adaptable to future challenges.

Info-Tech's new research-backed blueprint emphasizes the need for a dynamic and adaptive approach to identity authentication. The recommended approach ensures that organizations are not only well-prepared to address current risks but are also positioned to proactively anticipate and mitigate future challenges. By adopting the firm's recommended strategies, organizations can build robust authentication frameworks that safeguard digital identities and maintain security in an increasingly vulnerable digital landscape.

For exclusive and timely commentary from Info-Tech's analysts on this topic, including Ahmad Jowhar, an expert in cybersecurity and identity authentication, as well as access to the complete Modernize Your Identity Authentication Practices blueprint, please contact [email protected].

Info-Tech LIVE 2024 Conference

Registration is now open for Info-Tech Research Group's annual IT conference, Info-Tech LIVE 2024, taking place September 17 to 19, 2024, at the iconic Bellagio in Las Vegas. This premier IT industry event will also offer journalists, podcasters, and media influencers access to exclusive content, the latest technology research and trends, and the opportunity to interview industry experts, analysts, and speakers. To apply for media passes to attend the event or to gain access to research and expert insights on trending topics, please contact [email protected].

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected]. 

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group