Authentication Methods 101: Credentials, Types and Best Practices Explained

Passwords alone aren’t enough to secure user data anymore. They’re easily compromised in automated attacks, scams and particularly phishing attacks, where attackers deceive users into revealing sensitive information. This trend is forcing organizations to quickly adopt more sophisticated user authentication methods. With several passwordless authentication methods available, how can you decide which will best suit your organization’s security needs? Let’s take a closer look at each of the five most common options, including how they work and best practices for implementing them.

What is user authentication?

User authentication is the process of verifying the identity of users attempting to access a system, network or device. An authentication solution ensures all users are assigned a trusted digital identity and have the correct level of access to do their jobs.

Logical access control systems often authenticate user identity based on credentials like digital badges stored in a mobile wallet, keycards, biometrics or passwords. This verification step ensures that only authorized users can access endpoints and systems, protecting against unauthorized breaches and data leaks. The reliability of these methods is vital for maintaining security of any organization’s infrastructure.

Types of authentication credentials

While there are many different types of authentication credentials, they typically fall into one of three categories.

Physical credentials

Physical credentials refer to tangible items that users must have on their person to gain access. Examples include proximity cards, smart cards and keyfobs. Physical credentials fulfill the “something you have” requirement in multi-factor authentication, ensuring that access is granted only when the user physically possesses the credential item.

Digital credentials

Digital credentials are digital versions of physical ID badges or cards loaded on mobile devices. Depending on the mobile authentication technology used, these can be digital badges stored in a smartphone’s digital wallet (NFC) or credentials stored within an authenticator app installed on the phone (BLE).

Additional factors

Other common credential types include biometrics (e.g., fingerprints, facial recognition) and less secure methods like PINs, security questions, passwords and one-time passwords (OTPs). These methods can be used alongside mobile or physical credentials, requiring users to prove their identities multiple times for an extra layer of security.

The most common authentication methods

It’s important to understand the pros and cons of the many authentication options for managing user access. That way, you can select the methods that align best with your organization’s operational objectives for security and ease of use.

Password-based authentication

Password-based authentication remains the most common user access control method — and the most flawed. Passwords need to be complex for attackers to guess, but that makes them difficult for users to remember. As a result, IT teams’ time is wasted by constant password reset requests. Even the most secure passwords are easily compromised by phishing or other social engineering schemes. As a result, many organizations are evaluating and adopting stronger authentication methods that bolster both security and productivity.

Card authentication

Card authentication uses various types of cards; proximity cards, which are less secure; smart cards, which are secure and encrypted; and keyfobs, which vary in security levels. For example, healthcare providers often use badges to log in to shared workstations in exam rooms. The card reader connected to the computer identifies the provider through a digital certificate contained on their badge. This method is convenient and secure if the card is properly managed and not left unattended.

Biometric authentication

Biometric authentication utilizes users' physical characteristics — such as face, fingerprints, eye scan or voice — for sophisticated identity verification. This method is highly secure, as biometric traits are unique to each individual and difficult to replicate.

Mobile authentication

Mobile access control uses digital credentials to verify the identity of a user attempting to access a system or endpoint using a mobile device. NFC wallet credentials enhance security by requiring users to unlock their phones using faces, fingerprints, or passcodes before accessing digital credentials. If a phone is lost or left unattended, the digital credentials stored on it are still protected.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

MFA requires more than one proof of identity. This may be a combination of something you know (a password or security question), something you have (a company badge or security key) and something you are (biometric factors). MFA significantly enhances security by making it harder for unauthorized users to gain access, even if one factor is compromised.

Best practices and strategies for implementing user authentication

To secure your network and protect user data, consider the following best practices when implementing an authentication solution.

Passwordless authentication

Adopt secure systems that don’t require passwords, such as smart card, mobile, biometric or passkey authentication. With employees managing an average of 27 passwords, weak or compromised passwords are responsible for over 80% of hacking-related breaches. Passwordless systems, such as those leveraging FIDO standards, significantly reduce the risk of password-related vulnerabilities and eliminate the burden of remembering and resetting passwords. Identity management solutions such as ConvergeID™ integrate FIDO technology to provide robust, passwordless authentication, enhancing security and simplifying user access management.

Mandate MFA

MFA offers a greater level of security than passwords alone, reducing the risk of successful cyberattacks by 99.9%. According to one estimate, MFA adoption could have prevented data breaches involving over 550 million records in 2017-2022 alone. In particular, in any industry where regulatory compliance is essential, like healthcare or finance, at least two forms of authentication, such as smart cards and biometrics, should always be utilized. MFA ensures that even if one authentication factor is compromised, additional layers protect the system.

Ensure seamless integration

Before deploying a new authentication system, ensure it will seamlessly integrate with your existing IT systems and applications. Conduct test runs to identify points of friction and resolve any issues before full implementation. Additionally, make use of biometric readers, mobile readers and smart card readers to support various use cases.

Implement user training

When implementing new authentication methods, ensure that any users who interact with the system are properly trained on each of your chosen authentication methods. Provide comprehensive training sessions and resources to educate users on the importance of authentication and how to use the new systems effectively.

Secure your organization with a range of authentication methods from rf IDEAS

Adopting a passwordless authentication method will increase security and help reduce the likelihood of unauthorized users accessing systems. With so many authentication types available, it’s crucial to consider which one will work best for your specific needs. Implementing the right authentication method not only streamlines access management but also enhances the user experience by making access seamless and secure.

Reach out to learn how rf IDEAS can integrate with your current systems to eliminate security gaps and streamline operations across your organization.