Beyond Identity is a security solution that aims to provide strong authentication and identity management across various devices. It offers a passwordless authentication approach and aims to eliminate the need for traditional passwords and their associated security risks. Beyond Identity works by depending on a user’s device as an authenticator. Instead of relying on passwords, it uses cryptographic keys and certificates to authenticate users. The Beyond Identity Authenticator app serves as a secure means of authentication. In this post, we are going to explore how Beyond Identity works, its registration, limitations, features, and competitors.
The company is FIDO2 certified and extends the standard with an enterprise-ready platform. With features like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and support for various operating systems, Beyond Identity aims to provide a secure and user-friendly authentication experience. Beyond Identity’s passwordless authentication solution enhances security, simplifies the authentication process, and provides a seamless user experience, ultimately aiming to improve overall cybersecurity for organizations and individuals alike.
How Does Beyond Identity Work?
Beyond Identity is a company that provides passwordless identity management solutions to enhance security and simplify the authentication process. It offers a platform that wishes to eliminate the need for traditional passwords and prevent credential-based breaches. For users to be able to identify themselves and access protected resources, Beyond Identity uses a combination of cryptographic keys and device-centric authentication. Let us take a look at how Beyond Identity work below:
#1. Registration
The user’s client device creates a fresh key pair in the secure enclave, or Trusted Platform Module (TPM), during the registration procedure. A public key and a private key make up this key pair. Beyond Identity cannot access the private key, which is kept safely protected on the device.
#2. Authentication Request
When a user attempts to access a protected resource or application, an authentication request is sent to the Beyond Identity platform. This request includes information about the user and their device.
#3. Device Authentication
By examining the cryptographic key kept in the TPM or secure enclave, Beyond Identity confirms the device belonging to the user is authentic. As a result, only trustworthy devices are able to use the authentication mechanism.
#4. User Verification
Beyond Identity confirms the user’s identity by employing various user verification methods. These methods can include biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) or user-approved push notifications to the registered device.
#5. Access Granted
If the user’s identity is successfully verified, Beyond Identity grants access to the requested resource or application. The user is authenticated without the need for traditional passwords.
Beyond Identity Work Features
#1. Secure MFA
Beyond Identity provides a highly secure multi-factor authentication (MFA) solution that offers phishing-resistant access to crucial resources.
#2. Passwordless Experience
Beyond Identity eliminates the need for passwords, providing an easy and passwordless authentication experience.
#3. Zero Trust Authentication
To comply with the Zero Trust principles, Beyond Identity ensures that every access request, regardless of the user’s location or network, is authenticated and authorized.
#4. Secure Developer Bundle
Beyond Identity offers a Secure Developer Bundle that includes features and tools to enhance the security of developer environments.
#5. Integration with Kandji MDM
The Beyond Identity platform integrates with Kandji’s Mobile Device Management, which allows organizations to manage authentication across their mobile devices through the MDM system.
#6. Integration with Okta
Beyond Identity provides an integration guide for Windows desktop login with Okta, a popular identity and access management (IAM) platform.
#7. Wide Operating System Support
In addition to supporting a wide range of operating systems, Beyond Identity also supports MacOS, Windows 10 and 11, iOS, and Android.
#8. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Beyond Identity supports multiple-factor authentication. This means that users can further improve security by utilizing additional factors in addition to device-centric authentication. Like biometrics (facial recognition, fingerprinting), or authorized push alerts to their registered devices.
#9. Trusted Platform Module (TPM) or Secure Enclave
Beyond Identity uses the security features provided by the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) or secure enclave on the user’s device. These hardware components securely store the user’s private key, ensuring it is protected from unauthorized access.
#10. Enterprise-Ready Solution
Beyond Identity provides a platform that is prepared for business use and meets the unique requirements of companies. It offers enterprises centralized management and control over user authentication, enabling them to enforce security guidelines, regulate user access, and monitor authentication occurrences.
Beyond Identity Authenticator App
The Beyond Identity Authenticator is a key component of the Beyond Identity platform. The Beyond Identity Authenticator is a mobile application available for download on both iOS and Android devices. It is designed to provide secure access to corporate web services without the need for passwords. The Beyond Identity Authenticator captures over 25 user and device security signals to authenticate the user.
The Beyond Identity Authenticator work by establishing a secure Chain of Trust, eliminating the need for passwords. The app is integrated with the Beyond Identity platform, allowing users to securely access their corporate web services.
To use the Beyond Identity Authenticator, users need to download and install the app on their mobile devices.
Steps to learn how Beyond Identity Authenticator Work
Follow these steps to learn how Beyond Identity Authenticator Work
#1. Download and Install
Start by downloading the Beyond Identity Authenticator app from the respective app store on your mobile device. The app is available for both iOS and Android.
#2. Registration
Open the app and follow the registration process. You may need to provide your email address or username, as well as any additional information required by your organization. This step may involve receiving an enrollment email and clicking on a unique link to complete the registration.
#3. Set Up Account
Once registered, you’ll be prompted to set up your Beyond Identity account. This involves creating a password or other credentials, configuring multi-factor authentication if required, and completing any additional steps specified by your organization.
#4. Device Binding
The Beyond Identity Authenticator binds your identity to your device using private keys stored in the device’s Trusted Platform Module (TPM). This ensures that only authorized devices can access your account.
#5. Accessing Corporate Web Services
With the Beyond Identity Authenticator installed and your account set up, you can now use it to securely access your organization’s corporate web services. When prompted for authentication, open the app on your mobile device and follow the instructions provided.
#6. Security Signals
The Authenticator captures various security signals from your device to ensure secure access. These signals help verify your identity and the integrity of your device, reducing reliance on traditional passwords.
Key points about Beyond Identity and how the app work
#1. Secure MFA
Beyond Identity provides a secure multi-factor authentication solution that helps prevent credential-based breaches.
#2. Elimination of Passwords
The app eliminates the need for passwords, creating a fundamentally secure Chain of Trust for authentication.
#3. Increased Business Velocity
By implementing Beyond Identity, businesses can increase their operational speed and implement new business processes more efficiently.
#4. A Platform for Workforces and Customers
Customers and employees can both use Beyond Identity to access secure corporate web services.
#5. Self-Service Password Recovery
Beyond Identity’s app includes self-service password recovery options. It improves the user experience.
#6. Integration with Azure Active Directory
Beyond Identity is integrated with Azure Active Directory, enabling single sign-on (SSO) functionality for users.
#7. Developer API
A developer API is provided that allows developers to integrate the app’s authentication capabilities into their applications.
#8. Automatic Updates
The app supports automatic updates, ensuring that users have access to the latest security features and enhancements.
#9. Phishing Resistance
Beyond Identity’s app offers a phishing-resistant authentication experience by eliminating the reliance on passwords. Passwords are targets for phishing attacks.
#10. Cloud-Based Solution
The app is a cloud-based solution; there is minimal requirement for on-premises infrastructure, and seamless scaling is possible.
General limitations of the Beyond Identity Authenticator App
#1. Device Dependency
Passwordless authentication solutions rely heavily on users’ devices. If the device is lost, stolen, or not available, this can be a big setback.
#2. Compatibility
Some passwordless authentication methods may not be universally supported across all platforms or devices, which can limit usability for certain users.
#3. User Adoption
There are several challenges associated with introducing a new authentication method, which may necessitate users changing their habits and requiring them to adopt a new approach that may not be well received.
#4. Implementation Complexity
Implementing passwordless authentication requires changes to existing systems and infrastructure. This adds complexity and cost.
#5. Single Point of Failure
A failure or compromise at the single sign-on (SSO) provider or authentication service may have a significant impact on user access.
#6. User Experience
Depending on how they are implemented, passwordless authentication techniques could require extra steps or user engagement. This could negatively affect their usability.
#7. Limited Offline Access
Passwordless authentication methods often require an internet connection or access to specific services. Certain resources cannot be assessed offline.
#8. Dependency on Service Provider
Organizations relying on passwordless authentication are dependent on the service provider for ongoing support, maintenance, and updates.
#9. Risk of Biometric Data
The use of biometric data in passwordless authentication may raise privacy and security concerns, along with the possibility of misuse and unauthorized access to biometric data.
#10. User Lockout
In cases where a user’s device or authentication method malfunctions, there may be a risk of lockouts or being unable to access accounts until the issue is resolved.
Beyond Identity Registration
The following are a few options for how Beyond Identity work and its registration process:
#1. Option 1: Email Invitation
Through an email invitation that the Beyond Identity platform generates, users can enroll.
#2. Option 2: Contact Support
Users can open a ticket by sending an email to [email protected] to initiate the enrollment process. Beyond Identity will then send an enrollment email to the user.
#3. Option 3: Self-Enrollment
Users can self-enroll by downloading the Beyond Identity Authenticator on their devices and registering their credentials.
#4. Option 4: Passkey Registration on iOS or Android
Users can register their first Beyond Identity passkey on their iOS or Android devices.
Beyond Identity Competitors
Here are some competitors that work similarly to Beyond Identity or offer the same services to users.
#1. Ping Identity
Ping Identity specializes in identity-defined security (IDS) for borderless enterprises, offering comprehensive identity management solutions.
#2. Microsoft Azure AD
Azure AD provides identity and access management services. They allow organizations to easily integrate authentication with Microsoft tools and synchronize with local active directories.
#3. Duo Security
Duo Security offers multi-factor authentication (MFA) solutions to protect against unauthorized access and ensure secure user authentication.
#4. Okta
Okta is an identity management platform that provides secure access and authentication solutions for organizations of all sizes.
#5. OneLogin
OneLogin offers a unified access management platform that simplifies identity and access management for businesses, providing secure and seamless authentication.
#6. Auth0
With the help of the identity platform Auth0, programmers may add authentication and authorization features to their applications to guarantee safe user access.
#7. RSA SecurID
RSA SecurID is a widely recognized multi-factor authentication solution that provides strong security for user authentication.
#8. ForgeRock
Enterprises can benefit from safe access control and identity governance solutions from ForgeRock’s comprehensive identity platform.
#9. Centrify
Identity and access management tools from Centrify enable enterprises to secure access to vital systems and programs.
#10. CyberArk
CyberArk specializes in privileged access management (PAM) solutions, helping organizations protect and manage privileged accounts and credentials.
How Does Passwordless Technology Work?
Passwordless authentication is a method of verifying a user’s identity without the use of a password. Instead of a password, passwordless authentication uses more secure alternative factors. Such as physical tokens or USB devices (FIDO2-compliant keys), software tokens, or certificates. Biometrics like fingerprints, voice or facial recognition, retina scanning, or a mobile phone application. Passwordless authentication leverages the technology built into modern devices to provide secure authentication. During registration, the user’s client device creates a new key pair that binds the user’s identity to the device. All client devices authenticating are bound to a user and registered with the passwordless authentication provider’s cloud. Users can enroll as many devices as the company allows. Each new device creates a key pair branch that’s bound to the user and the hardware of the device.
Is Beyond Identity Worth It?
Beyond Identity is worth it. Beyond Identity is a secure multi-factor authentication platform that eliminates passwords and helps prevent credential-based breaches. It is FIDO2 certified and uses a zero-trust risk engine to continuously validate user identity and device security. This makes user adoption easy and advances toward zero-trust security. Beyond Identity has received strong early traction and is integrated with major single-sign-on platforms. It has also been recognized for improving workplace security and the user experience.
What Are the Three Pillars of Identity?
The three pillars of Identity are Security, Privacy, and Trust.
What Does the Identity Store Do?
An identity store is a database or directory that contains identity information about a collection of users that includes an application’s callers. It stores users and groups and provides a single place to retrieve all identities (users and groups). The AWS IAM Identity Center uses the identity store service, which offers a way to programmatically manage identity data. This allows users to create, read, update, delete, and list users, groups, and memberships. It is also used in ArcGIS Enterprise to manage accounts that will access the portal and their privileges.
Conclusion
Beyond Identity works by offering a passwordless authentication process that involves device binding, the use of the Beyond Identity Authenticator app, registration, account setup, and accessing corporate web services. Users bind their identities to their devices using private keys stored in the device’s TPM. Users register their accounts, set up their credentials, and configure multi-factor authentication if needed. When accessing corporate web services, users open the app on their devices and follow the provided instructions. Security signals from the user’s device are captured to verify identity and enhance security.
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