Security solutions that authenticate and manage user access to systems have never been more important. Increasingly organizations are relying on cloud applications like Office 365, G Suite and many more for critical business functions. Securing access to these systems is key to protecting against data loss and security breaches.
User authentication systems verify that only authorized users can access cloud applications and company accounts. These systems are designed to ensure that only the right people can access the right business systems, and they offer a range of features which help to enhance basic username and password account security.
Authentication systems provide IT teams with a host of security controls and policies, such as enforcing multi-factor authentication so that if a set of credentials are compromised in a phishing attack, there are extra layers of security place to deny access to malicious actors. Some systems will allow admins to implement passwordless authentication, providing users with single sign-on capabilities.
Gartner have recently predicted that by 2023, 60% of large and global enterprises and 80% of SMBs will be using enterprise-wide multi-factor authentication (MFA) to manage user authentication, backed up by an access management platform.
In this article we’ll compare the top ten User Authentication and Access Management platforms. We’ll explore key features including MFA options, adaptive authentication, flexibility, level of visibility, user experience and pricing.
The top ten User Authentication and Access Management platforms include:
- DUO MFA | Entrust Identity Enterprise | LastPass Identity | Okta Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication | OneSpan Intelligent Adaptive Authentication | Ping Intelligent Identity Platform, RSA SecureID Access | SecureAuth Identity Platform | Symantec VIP Access | Thycotic Secret Server
Lastpass Identity
Comprehensive password management, multi-factor authentication and single sign-on platform, ideal for teams
LastPass are an identity and access management vendor that provide a comprehensive platform for managing user authentication. Their Identity platform enforces adaptive multi-factor authentication and single sign-on capabilities, with simplified admin management and detailed security reports. LastPass also offer comprehensive password management capabilities, with a secure password vault for employees to store passwords, and secure password sharing features for teams to easily and securely manage access to applications and business accounts.
With LastPass, admins can enforce multi-factor authentication across cloud and legacy applications, as well as workstations. LastPass integrates these services with their own MFA solution, including an authenticator smartphone app that allows users to verify their identity with pin codes or face scans. LastPass supports adaptive authentication, only enforcing extra levels of security controls when the system detects something suspicious, such as a log-in at an unusual time or location. Admins can implement flexible admin policies to govern MFA and view reporting into login events from the admin dashboard.
LastPass also provide comprehensive single sign-on, allowing users to authenticate their identity without the use of passwords altogether. LastPass integrates with over 1,200 enterprise applications which admins can easily configure via the admin console, to support passwordless access to LastPass users. When logged into their LastPass accounts, users are authenticated and able to access all the accounts they need to, without the hassle of entering a password. Admins are able to manage access to these systems and implement role-based controls to accounts, as well as revoke access if needed, via the admin dashboard. LastPass is an ideal user authentication and access management solution for SMBs and mid-sized enterprises. The solution is easy to use for both end users and IT admins, and provides a comprehensive stack of features to make managing user access far easier for IT teams.
Duo Access
Secure single sign-on and MFA, with security hygiene reports and adaptive authentication policies
Duo, recently acquired by Cisco, is a comprehensive user authentication and access management platform. They offer multiple solutions to authenticate users, provide visibility into account security and secure access to servers and applications. Duo provides multi-factor authentication, single sign-on, configurable adaptive access policies, and device trust functionality. These services are delivered across multiple plans and options, starting with a free version for small teams, right up to Duo Beyond for larger organizations. Duo Access is their mid-tier solution, providing adaptive authentication, access policies and device self-remediation at a low monthly price point.
Duo MFA allows you to easily enforce multi-factor authentication across corporate accounts. Duo has a modern and easy to use authentication app, which allows for easy push notifications to verify user identities. Users can use their smartphone, watch or another token to gain account access. MFA is easy to set up and configure, with active directory syncs, bunk enrolment and user self-enrolment options. As well as MFA, admins can also simplify access to accounts with secure single sign-on, allowing for passwordless access to company accounts. With Duo Access, admin’s can also enforce contextual, adaptive authentication policies which grant or block user access based on multiple factors.
Duo Access provides multiple access policies which allow you to apply policies to certain groups and restrict logins based on location and other factors, allowing you to take more control over account security. A unique feature for Duo is their device management, which can prompt users to update laptops and mobile devices when logging into accounts, helping to ensure devices themselves remain secure against cyber-threats. Duo also gives IT teams visibility into all devices that are accessing company applications and servers, flagging up potential security risks. Duo is a powerful user authentication tool, praised by customers for its ease of use both for end users and IT admins.
Entrust Identity Enterprise
Enterprise cloud identity and access management solution to secure access to apps, networks and devices
Entrust Identity Enterprise (formally known as Entrust IdentityGuard) is a cloud identity and access management platform that secures access to apps, networks and devices. This platform provides key user authentication features, including adaptive authentication, MFA AND comprehensive access controls. This service is available as an on-premise solution with physical token-based access, and as a cloud-service. This overview will focus on the cloud solution. Entrust also offer an ‘Essentials’ version of this service aimed predominately at small and mid-sized organizations.
Entrust offers SSO across corporate applications and cloud accounts, with location-based adaptive authentication. This allows users passwordless access to their accounts, while ensuring that accounts remain secure if any risks or unusual activity is detected. Entrust offers a multi-factor authentication app for identity proofing, allowing admins to control level of authentication access from biometric face scans right through to government issued identification to ensure user authenticity.
The platform offers granular authentication policies and reports, within a simple management console. Admins can edit risk-based authentication policies and configure user policies within a simple admin dashboard. From here they can also access numerous reports into user profiles and authentication events to monitor organization wide security. The service provides out-of-the-box integrations to make deploying the service and onboarding users easier. It integrates with on-premise applications, as well as Azure and with LDAP databases. Entrust is a powerful user authentication and access management platform, with granular controls and security policies.
Okta Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication, single sign-on and access management solution ideal for small business and teams with custom applications
Okta is an identity management platform that allows IT teams secure access to cloud accounts. Okta provides multi-factor authentication and single sign-on, with integrations to multiple cloud-based tools and applications through the Okta Integration Network. This includes supporting custom built applications, giving users a consistent passwordless experience across corporate accounts and providing enhanced control and visibility.
Okta Single Sign-On provides reliable passwordless authentication, allowing users to easily access all of their applications. Okta integrates with all of your web and mobile applications, with a flexible access policy engine. Okta secures access with MFA and adaptive user authentication via Okta’s Verify application. Okta’s MFA platform supports a range of different authentication methods, including security questions, one-time passcodes, smartphone notifications and biometrics.
Okta secures users across your organization with integration to AD/LDAP across multiple domains. With the Okta Access Gateway you can integrate with your custom built and on-premise applications, ideal for organizations who need to secure access to custom portals and implement role-based controls. Okta provide a range of reports, including real-time systems logs with location tracking, and application specific access reports. Okta is a scalable identity management solution ideal for larger organizations, especially those with on-premise and custom applications.
OneSpan Intelligent Adaptive Authentication
Fraud protection and user authentication to meet compliance regulations and protect against insecure passwords and unsecured mobile devices
OneSpan are an identity and access management vendor that provides user authentication and fraud detection which to allow organizations to secure access to cloud accounts. OneSpan Intelligent Adaptive Authentication is a cloud-based solution that offers a range of features to secure digital access and create a seamless user experience for account access. This solution has a focus on protecting against account takeover fraud, using machine learning technologies to provide risk analytics and stop cyber-criminals from accessing company accounts.
Intelligent Adaptive Authentication provides real time analysis of user, device and transaction data to provide a risk score for each user login attempt. With this data, the machine learning systems are able to identify potential account takeover attempts, and enforce extra security controls, such as multi-factor authentication. Users are able to verify their identity with biometric controls using smartphone devices, with other verification options available if needed. OneSpan also provides risk scores based on the hygiene of devices themselves, with a specific focus on mobile devices. This solution is able to identify jailbroken and corrupted mobile devices, to ensure that appropriate security controls are enforced to protect against harmful account access.
OneSpan Intelligent Adaptive Authentication provides a range of features for admins to better manage account access and meet compliance regulations. This solution leverages pre-configured rule sets to enforce strict regulations around accent access. Admins can select multiple verification methods including hardware devices if needed. The solution provides IT teams with a deep visibility into user authentication and access, with continuous monitoring of users and devices as they access accounts, with a range of reports. OneSpan integrates with fraud platforms via API connection to provide protection across your cloud applications. OneSpan Intelligent Adaptive Authentication is a comprehensive identity and access management platform, praised by customers fin particular for its mobile device security controls.
Ping Identity PingOne
Multi-factor authentication and single sign-on with advanced policy controls diverse authentication methods and data governance
The Ping Intelligent Identity Platform allows organizations to improve security across cloud accounts and applications, while creating a streamlined and seamless user authentication experience, within one platform. Ping offers multiple options securing user access depending on organization type, size and application use cases. Ping supports cloud identity, private cloud and on-premise solutions, as well as hybrid IT environments. The service is deployed as a SaaS solution, aimed at organizations, partners and application developers.
PingOne is Ping Identity’s identity cloud access solution for enterprises. PingOne is designed to be an easy to use, API-based cloud solution that allows organizations to deploy and enforce single sign-on, multi-factor authentication and manage account access. PingOne allows admins to enforce passwordless access to all of their applications with secure single sign-on. This single sign-on is easy to deploy, integrating seamlessly with existing applications. Alongside single sign-on, admins can also enforce multi-factor authentication, to provide an extra layer of account protection when needed.
PingOne provides enterprise IT departments and developers with a comprehensive platform to enforce user authentication. IT teams are able to easily embed user authentication into any web, mobile or single page application. The platform supports multiple environments, including in the cloud, on-premise and hybrid applications. Admins can configure multiple authentication policies which can vary from application to application. Ping provides flexible user management, allowing teams to store user identities in multiple places, including PingOne’s own directory, or in existing stores like Active Directory. This also includes easy deprovisioning when a user leaves the organization. Alongside user management, Ping provides in-depth reporting, with complete visibility and multiple pre-defined reports into user behaviours. Ping is a robust and reliable user authentication platform, especially for enterprises and development teams.
RSA SecureID Access
Market leading user authentication platform that secures user access in the cloud with flexible multi-factor authentication
RSA SecureID Access provides user authentication and account security, providing multiple features to secure and manage access to corporate accounts and applications. RSA SecureID Access provides multi-factor authentication that aims to make it as easy as possible for end users to access accounts, using real-time adaptive authentication to provide contextual challenges depending on the level of account risk. RSA integrates with more than 500 cloud-based and on-premises applications, with continuously enforced security. The service has a focus on ease of use and deployment for IT teams, supporting multiple environments and a strong level of availability.
RSA SecureID Access provides secure and convenient access to enterprise accounts and applications. Admins can enforce multi-factor authentication across on-premise applications including VPNs and cloud and mobile applications like Office 365, Salesforce and Workday. End user are able to authenticate their sign-ins through smartphones, biometrics, SMS and more. This ensures that each user can verify their identity in the most convenient way, without sacrificing account security. RSA uses machine learning, behavioral analytics and business threat intelligent to create risk profiles of users in order to support adaptive authentication. Each user is assigned a risk score upon login, meaning organizations can automatically challenge high-risk authentication attempts. Multi-factor authentication can replace passwords entirely, creating a frictionless log-in experience for end users.
Alongside multi-factor authentication, RSA provides identity governance and access management to verify users and ensure account security. This includes a centralized dashboard to manage user access to corporate applications and resources. Admins are able to set customizable rule sets, governing employee access management, from the admin dashboard. Admins can add policy-driven secure access and single sign-on to applications through SAML, reverse proxy or password vaulting. RSA also provides visibility and context for IT teams to be able to manage user authentication. RSA SecureID Access is a powerful authentication platform for the enterprise, suited to large organizations that need to protect access to multiple cloud or on-premise applications.
SecureAuth Identity Platform
Identity security across corporate accounts that helps to streamline user authentication
The SecureAuth Identity Platform helps to secure company accounts without compromising on user experience and ease of account access. This platform offers multi-factor authentication, risk-based adaptive authentication policies, single sign-on and user self-service to help secure access to corporate accounts and block account takeover attempts. SecureAuth supports cloud, on-premise and hybrid deployments. This platform is built to open standards and offers a full set of APIs to enable easy integration with your existing environments.
SecureAuth supports adaptive authentication, using a broad set of risk checks and behavioral indicators in order to evaluate the log-in attempts, including device health, location, IP address and user behaviours, such as repeated failed log-ins. SecureAuth supports nearly 30 different methods of authentication checks, including mobile push notifications, biometrics and desktop one-time passwords. Augmenting MFA is Single Sign-On, which gives SecureAuth users a seamless, passwordless way to access accounts without sacrificing account security.
SecureAuth provides a range of admin controls and tools to make managing user authentication and account access easier for IT teams. Users can access self-service resources to help reduce the support burden on IT teams, including self-service password resets, enrolment and updates. SecureAuth supports multiple different deployment options and integrates with easy to use APIs, for simplified deployment and account integration. SecureAuth also provides a number of editable templates, policies and settings that help to simplify access management and improve the user authentication experience. SecureAuth offers a comprehensive user authentication and access management platform with a number of strong features. In particular, customers praise the multiple deployment options and granular policies this platform offers.
Symantec VIP
Scalable and easy to manage user authentication and MFA solution
Symantec VIP Access is a platform that allows IT admins to enforce multi-factor authentication across corporate accounts. Employees are able to verify their identity with multiple factors to confirm access, to protect against account takeover attacks. Symantec provides adaptive authentication, analyzing risks to enforce verification when needed. This helps to prevent fraudulent account activities and helps organizations to meet compliance requirements. Symantec VIP is user friendly and cloud based, providing secure authentication to data and services.
Symantec VIP is extremely easy to use from an end user perspective. Users can simply download the Symantec VIP Access App, from where they have one secure place to manage credentials for all enterprise applications. Here, they can verify their identity when logging into accounts, with push notifications, face scans or OTPs. Symantec provides risk-based adaptive authentication, leveraging both device and user behaviours to detect and respond to potentially suspicious user activity and block account access. With VIP Access Manager, admins can also enforce secure single sign-on, helping to make account access more seamless for end users. End users can provision their own accounts and reset passwords with the self-service portal.
Symantec is fully cloud-based, integrating with popular VPNs, cloud and web applications, as well as user directories for easier integration with corporate accounts. The service conducts device hygiene checks to identify compromised devices, alongside adaptive authentication. This service also supports physical hardware tokens for enterprise organizations needing an extra layer of security or to meet compliance regulations. VIP integrates with Symantec’s Global Intelligence Network to deliver threat information and content classification, providing an extra layer of visibility and protection across corporate accounts. Symantec provides a number of activity logs that integrate with third party analytics platforms for your team to gain actionable insights into security activities. Symantec VIP is an easy to use and manage platform that’s scalable for mid-market and enterprise organizations.
Thycotic Secret Server
Privileged access management for services, applications and administrator accounts across the enterprise
Thycotic Secret Server is an enterprise focused privileged access management (PAM) solution, designed for both on-premise and cloud environments. Secret Server provides secure password management in an encrypted secure vault, configurable account privileges and admin credential management, to help secure account access and ensure that only the right team members can access sensitive company accounts and data. This service also provides a number of more granular admin features such as controlling sessions and setting up workflows for account access requests. Thycotic is a market leader in the PAM space, recognized by both Gartner and Forrester as a top solution.
Secret Server provides multiple features for user authentication, including a secure password vault that stores encrypted account passwords. After confirming their identity with a two-step verification process, users can access this vault to gain access to corporate applications securely and efficiently. Once logged in, users can only see the passwords they need based on admin permissions and role-based controls. Admins are able to manage and monitor access to all of the accounts in this secure vault, as well as revoke access when needed. Thycotic tracks all password access, making it easy to trace the source of an account breach if fraudulent activity is detected.
Thycotic is more focused on account management over user authentication than some of the other vendors on this list, but they do provide an extensive range of PAM features to secure access to corporate accounts in one easy to manage platform. Admins have access to multiple policies to manage account access and role-based controls, with automatic provisioning and deprovisioning. Admins can set password complexity and rotate credentials to maximize account security. The platform also provides a deep range of reports and audits to ensure all access to corporate accounts is accounted for and logged; important for maintaining legal compliance. Thycotic Secret Service is a powerful PAM solution, suited to enterprises looking for a centralized way to manage privileged user access to enterprise accounts and applications.