Security solutions that authenticate and manage user access to systems have never been more important. Increasingly organizations are relying on cloud applications like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and many more for critical business functions. Securing access to these systems with user authentication tools is key to protecting against data loss and security breaches.
User authentication tools 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 predicted that in 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.
A market-leader in producing lightweight, user-friendly cybersecurity solutions, ESET are currently trusted by over 400k business customers worldwide to secure access to their corporate accounts. ESET Secure Authentication is ESET’s enterprise two-factor authentication (2FA) solution that reduces the risk of account takeover attacks by restricting access to corporate applications until users verify their identity in two ways. ESET’s solution supports a wide range of authentication methods, which enables all users to authenticate securely, no matter what device they’re working on. It secures access to on-premises applications, as well as web and cloud services such as Office 365 and Dropbox via SAML protocol integration, ensuring compliance and data security across all business systems. ESET Secure Authentication also integrates with a number of VPNs for a comprehensive, unified 2FA experience across all business systems.
ESET Secure Authentication supports user authentication via third-party mobile authentication apps, hardware tokens, FIDO security keys and ESET’s own push notifications, which support iOS and Android systems. This means that all users can easily authenticate using the method which best suits them, no matter from which device they’re trying to log in. ESET Secure Authentication offers its own full-featured API, which enables organizations to enforce 2FA across all of their on-premises, web- and cloud-based applications. It also supports 2FA for RDPs and a number of popular enterprise VPNs, including Citrix, Check Point, Fortinet and SonicWall.
From the web-based admin console, security teams can fully manage the solution, including generating insights into access and authentication organization-wide, configuring authentication policies, and generating reports into account access security for both security and auditing purposes. Because the solution is cloud-based, organizations can deploy ESET Secure Authentication quickly and easily. Onboarding and removing users is straightforward with ESET’s Active Directory integration. This makes ESET Secure Authentication a strong 2FA solution for both smaller teams with few security resources, and larger enterprises that need to secure access to a variety of applications and systems.
IS Decisions is a provider of access security solutions that are focused on securing both Windows Active Directory and cloud environments. UserLock is their solution for Active Directory identity and access management. The platform offers a comprehensive approach to user access security by combining multi-factor authentication, single sign-on, and session management, and protects both on-premises and remote users’ access to corporate systems and cloud applications.
With UserLock, IT administrators can enforce multi-factor authentication across Windows logins, remote desktops, IIS apps, VPNs, and cloud applications. The platform supports authentication via authenticator apps and hardware tokens like YubiKey and Token2. IT admins can use UserLock to define rules that grant, deny, or limit access based on factors like device, location, time, and session type. The platform also supports SAML-based SSO for seamless access to cloud applications like Microsoft 365. From the UserLock management console, admins have a complete overview of user access activity and can monitor sessions in real-time. They can generate audit reports, compliance reports, and gain insights into login attempts. If any suspicious behavior is detected, the administrator can block the session remotely, which closes the current session and prevents further login attempts.
UserLock is a robust identity and access management solution that provides IT teams with comprehensive control over user access to Windows Server and cloud environments. The platform is easy to deploy and comes with full technical support from IS Decisions. Additionally, UserLock supports compliance with various data protection standards such as GDPR, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOX, ISO27001, and NIST 800-53. Overall, we recommend UserLock to both small businesses and large enterprises looking for a secure and scalable solution for managing user access and ensuring data protection and compliance.
ManageEngine is the IT management division of Zoho Corporation and offers ADSelfService Plus, a powerful user authentication, password management, and single sign-on solution. This solution enforces user authentication to secure access to machines, VPNs, applications, and Outlook Web Access (OWA). The professional edition, starting at $1195 annually for 500 domain users, also includes endpoint authentication.
ADSelfService Plus provides secure multi-layered user authentication and single sign-on via the use Active Directory domain credentials and a secondary authentication factor to improve account security. It supports 18 second-factor authentication methods, including security questions, authenticator apps, and biometric options.
Admins can configure conditional access policies to enforce authentication methods and mitigate unauthorized user access. Admins can also enforce secure password policies to add an extra security layer to prevent account compromise.
Installation is simple and the solution can be installed on servers and machines, with a choice of 64-bit or 32-bit version. Users rate ADSelfService Plus highly for its ease of use and set up. We recommend this solution for larger organizations in industries such as finance, IT, healthcare, and government that need secure authentication and advanced password management capabilities.
Thales SafeNet Trusted Access is a leading cloud-based user authentication solution, providing secure access to cloud services and enterprise applications with single sign-on, multi-factor authentication and granular access policies. SafeNet Trusted Access is a single, integrated authentication platform, which allows organizations to protect online identities and ensure compliance with legal requirements, while ensuing users can easily access accounts and services. SafeNet Trusted Access is well-suited to securing access for cloud-services and can help to alleviate password-related data breaches, with greater admin visibility and controls.
SafeNet Trusted Access provides secure, seamless single sign-on (SSO) which allows users to log into all of their cloud-applications a single set of verified credentials. This means that end-users get a much more convenient login experience, while vastly improving account security, by giving admins more visibility and removing the reliance on weak passwords that are difficult to secure. SafeNet Trusted Access Smart Single Sign On uses adaptive multi-factor authentication to verify user login requests and protect against account takeover. In addition, admins can set flexible policies that support a broad range of authentication methods for a variety of scenarios, which can also be applied to regional compliance requirements according to user groups.
SafeNet Trusted Access is highly reviewed by customers, especially for its flexible authentication policies, and fast deployment process. SafeNet Trusted access provides admins with deep visibility into account access, with single sign-on and multi-factor authentication reporting at a per-user level. The solution also features integrations with other solutions, such as privileged access management providers, with hundreds of out-of-the-box integrations. SafeNet Trusted Access is a comprehensive, powerful user authentication solution, which we would recommend to organizations of all sizes looking for secure authentication and SSO for diverse user needs.
HID is a market leading cybersecurity vendor specializing in worry-free identity verification solutions. Their authentication and access management products enable IT teams to secure and manage access to both logical and physical assets, and they currently secure over 85 million user identities globally. HID’s Advanced Multi-Factor Authentication solution sits within their Identity and Access Management (IAM) suite, alongside identity management and risk-based management products. Advanced MFA allows organizations to secure their users’ access to corporate networks, VPNs and cloud applications such as Office 365. Additionally, from the central management console, admins can generate detailed reports into account usage, including who is accessing which areas within the network.
HID’s zero-trust Advanced MFA solution is centred around a converged credential ecosystem that enables secure logical (digital) and physical access to company assets. This includes hardware tokens, PKI-based smart cards, digital certificates and mobile push authentication, as well as biometric authentication for organizations looking for a risk-based method. These methods support various digital protocols, including FIDO and OATH, and the smart cards also enable secure physical access to company sites. HID’s Advanced MFA supports single sign-on, saving users from remembering multiple passwords, and sparing IT resources from dealing with password reset requests. HID IAM also features powerful reporting and analytics tools, which leverage sophisticated AI to provide insights into who is accessing what parts of the network. These reports also enable organizations to ensure security compliance.
Users can deploy Advanced MFA on-prem or in the cloud, making it easy to set up, but also highly scalable and flexible. This makes it a strong solution for growing organizations, those with remote or hybrid-remote environments, and those with multiple office sites. HID’s MFA solution is particularly popular among finance and government industries, due to its high level of security and its robust management features. We recommend IAM Advanced MFA as a strong solution for mid-sized organizations and enterprises looking to secure access to their corporate accounts across multiple business levels.
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, admins 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.
Microsoft Azure Active Directory (often abbreviated to Azure AD) deals with single sign-on (SSO), MFA, and privilege management. This ensures that accounts are protected, whilst allowing streamlined access for users. Azure ensures you get the balance between user experience and security through risk-based adaptive access policies. This means that Azure will assess how risky a situation is and require the corresponding level of security to allow access.
Through the Microsoft Entra admin centre, identities can be centrally managed from an intuitive console. This also allows you to access your cloud and on-premises applications, ensuring that the solution is easy to use for however you work. The dashboard gives you efficient visibility and control over users and access, allowing for efficient remediation. To aid with user governance, Azure provides When granting privileged access, the admin can set a time-limit to ensure this additional access does not become a problem.
Beyond authentication and access management, Azure allows for effective authorization, administration, governance, self-service management, and management of cloud infrastructure. The solution allows admin fine-grained control, and extensive visibility across users and accounts. From an end-user’s perspective, the solution is streamlined and intuitive. Azure AD allows you to use MFA and SSO to maintain security, whilst improving workflow – by removing the need to login to each application, a user’s workday is that little bit smoother. Microsoft Azure AD is an effective and intuitive solution to managing multiple identities and account whilst prioritizing security and user experience.
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.
Prove’s Phone-Centric Identity Platform utilizes phone numbers as secure methods of user authentication for businesses looking to secure customer access to their own services, as well as organizations looking to authenticate employee access to corporate assets. The platform allows users to log in, authenticate their identity and access account services with just their cell phone and phone number. Prove is currently used by more than 1,000 organizations globally, and over 500 banks, including 8 of the top 10 U.S. banks, use Prove to mitigate fraud, boost revenue, reduce operating costs, and improve customer login experiences.
Prove’s Phone-Centric Identity platform comprises four solutions that can be implemented as standalone solutions, or utilized together for comprehensive management and security of user authentication and access. Prove’s Pre-Fill solution reduces the amount of time it takes to onboard and authenticate users by analyzing billions of phone signals in real-time to verify each user’s identity without causing friction for the user.
Their Identity Management solution provides organizations with a registry of tokenized customer identities, enabling admins to obtain a comprehensive, central overview of their user identities, making it easier to manage those identities. Prove’s Identity solution secures all user accounts by implementing risk-based authentication: each login attempt is analyzed based on behavioral and phone-based indicators of suspicious activity, and assigned a “Trust Score”. If a login is deemed risky, the user is denied access or asked to verify their identity using MFA, as per admin-configured policies. Admins can configure MFA policies across low- to high-risk transactions using Prove’s Auth solution, which supports the use of a wide range of authentication methods, from traditional OTPs to more sophisticated biometric authenticators.
Prove’s identity platform is entirely cloud-based, making it easy to deploy and integrate with an organization’s existing infrastructure, as well as highly scalable. We recommend Prove as a strong solution for organizations looking for a way to authenticate their customers and employees at different stages of the user journey.
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.
FAQs
What Is User Authentication And Why Is It Important?
Put simply, User Authentication covers any form of security system that verifies users identity when logging into accounts. User authentication solutions typically involve implementing multi-factor authentication to ensure users are authorised to access accounts and services, and reduce the risk of a data breach.
Multi-factor authentication requires users to have extra piece of additional knowledge rather than just relying on a password. This is often something simple, such as a pin-code from an authenticator app (something you have) or a fingerprint read (something you are). There are a wide range of authentication methods that can be used for varying levels of security, including biometrics, hardware keys and FIDO authentication tokens which remove the password altogether.
The benefit of adding user authentication is that accounts become much more secure. Passwords can often be easily guessed or stolen, and continuous user authentication means that attackers are far less likely to be able to access an account if they are able to successfully compromise a password in a phishing attack or data breach. Admins can also often configure access policies governing which resources users should have access to, and what level of security control is applied to accounts, to help organizations achieve a Zero Trust security policy.
How Do Authentication Services Work?
User authentication services verify the identity of users when they attempt to access a network, device, application, or resource. This ensures that only authorized users can log-in and access data, helping to reduce the risk of data breach.
There are three factors used in the user authentication process:
- Knowledge factors: Things the user must know to prove their identity – such as a password, PIN, or ID
- Possession factors: Things the user must have to prove their identity, such as a hardware authentication token, smartphone, one-time passcode, or FIDO software token
- Inherence factors: Things the user is which can prove their identity. This includes a broad range of biometric checks, such as fingerprint scans, retina scans, facial recognition, etc.,
User authentication services will use one or more of these factors to ensure that users are who they say they are. In a sliding security scale, passwords are the least secure method of authentication, while combining biometrics with a FIDO-based authentication method is the ‘gold standard for MFA’ according to the US Cybersecurity & Infrastructure agency.
Many modern enterprise authentication services also look at contextual factors in order to detect indicators of account or device compromise. This can include location data to detect ‘superman logins’, time-of-day, and device security.
Best Authentication Service Features
The best features to look for when choosing an authentication service include:
- Supports a range of authentication methods: The best services will support a range of authentication methods, including biometrics, hardware based tokens, FIDO, OTPs, and push notifications.
- User friendly: Services should be user friendly. Authentication apps should be easy to use and allow users to access accounts when they have the required authentication factors.
- Adaptive authentication: Adaptive authentication uses contextual factors, such as device status, location, and time-of-day to enforce additional authentication checks on risky login requests.
- Policy enforcement and alerts: Admins should be able to configure security policies and alerts to govern access and more quickly detect potential account compromise risks.
- Single Sign-On: Many enterprise authentication solutions also enable teams to configure secure single sign-on to further protect account access.
