Authentication happens billions of times every day. This process of verifying identity is a cornerstone of security. The best authentication systems are robust yet nearly invisible. Reaching this balance comes with complexities. Implementing an authentication system is as important as the information it protects.

You’ve seen the news. It seems like there’s a new ransomware, security breach or account takeover every day. To keep yourself from becoming the next victim, you have to prioritize security, establish robust governance and stick to quality development practices. Failing on any of these priorities jeopardizes customer trust and poses a risk to your company’s reputation.

Here are steps organizations should take to fortify their authentication systems:

Establish DevSecOps Standards

DevSecOps emphasizes security testing in the early stages of development. Unlike traditional security testing occurring just before or after release, potentially causing delays and discovering issues too late, DevSecOps ensures security planning is integrated throughout the software development life cycle.

This approach allows security testing to occur earlier in development, ensuring that the codebase is secure and undergoes thorough testing before being integrated into the build.

It’s important to note that DevSecOps does not replace traditional security testing. Instead, it complements it by advocating for the inclusion of security checks each time code is accepted into the build so software is secure before it is released into production.

Perform Regular Security Reviews

Perform information security reviews whenever new infrastructure is deployed, significant changes are made to an existing system or third-party access to internal systems is allowed. Developers must align with security controls implemented by the information security team. Deviating from security policies may result in an increase in the threat surface and the potential for breaches.

Run Static Code Analysis

Unlike manual code reviews, static code analysis is an automated process that examines code repositories without executing the code. It aims to identify inefficient code that engineering teams can address, ensuring they deliver high-quality and dependable code.

Static code analysis should be run at a minimum during pull request merges or releases. However, it’s advisable to integrate these analyses into the development phase, so releases aren’t delayed.

Conduct Penetration Testing

Conduct penetration tests at least once a year. Executed by internal staff or contracted professionals, these tests simulate cyberattacks to help identify vulnerabilities and enhance overall system resilience.

Implement a Bug Bounty Program

Implement an ongoing bug bounty program to incentivize external developers to discover and report security bugs and vulnerabilities. Clearly define what qualifies as a valid bug and establish reporting procedures.

Prevent Password Reuse

Implement password guidelines to deter users from reusing identical passwords across various accounts, a common vulnerability hackers exploit. Adhere to the digital identity standards established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Audit Access Logs

Regularly audit access logs to detect and address potential security threats promptly. Logs play a crucial role in postmortem analysis and ongoing monitoring of system activities. Security and software development teams bear the responsibility of log collection. Administrators, network engineers and developers must ensure logs are properly generated and audited to uphold system stability.

Implement Brute-Force Protection

Protect against brute-force attacks by implementing IP-based or identity-based user rate limiting. Introduce CAPTCHA tests after a specified number of login attempts, making the manual process arduous for potential attackers.

Use Proper Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

Enhance security with multi-factor authentication (MFA), which requires at least two identity verification steps. Avoid relying solely on SMS-based 2FA because of potential vulnerabilities if a hacker gains access to both the password and the SIM card. For optimal security, implement MFA using a dedicated app or a device capable of generating temporary verification codes.

Implement Modern Passwordless Login

Passkeys (WebAuthn) are the latest addition to the passwordless login options. As an addition to email- and SMS-based authentication, Passkeys provide a more secure login option because they are built into the operating system and use strong encryption to identify the user. This means that attackers need physical access to the device plus the ability to unlock the device’s security, usually through biometrics such as face or touch ID.

Securing Authentication Systems is a Shared Responsibility

Securing an authentication system is a shared responsibility within an organization. Proactive measures taken across the entire development life cycle contribute to a more robust and secure authentication infrastructure. By integrating these steps into the development and security processes, organizations can enhance the resilience of their authentication system.