According to the Pew Research Center, a little over one-third of employees in the U.S. who can work remotely do so all the time — while 41% are at least part-time remote in a hybrid model. This shift offers flexibility but also introduces complexities in security management. In 2023 alone, 90% of organizations with more than 1,000 employees reported identity breaches.
These numbers are alarming and highlight the vulnerabilities in current systems. Cybercriminals are relentless, and their methods are becoming increasingly difficult to defend against.
Understanding Workforce Identity Management
Workforce Identity refers to the comprehensive set of technologies, policies, and processes that manage and secure employee identities within an organization. It goes beyond simple login credentials to include various methods of verifying and managing employees and contractors across different systems, both on-premises and in the cloud.
At its core, Workforce Identity management aims to provide a seamless, secure user experience while protecting your organization's digital assets.
Key Technologies Enhancing Security
Solutions such as single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and passwordless authentication enhance security and operational efficiencies. These technologies enable your employees to perform their duties effectively, regardless of location.
The Importance of Workforce Identity Management in Addressing Security Challenges
The importance of Workforce Identity management cannot be overstated, especially in the face of evolving cyber threats. Managing user identities and access privileges across various applications and devices has become increasingly complex. The ever-present threat of security breaches through compromised credentials and phishing poses significant risks, including unauthorized access and data theft, which can lead to financial and reputational damage.
Workforce Identity management addresses these challenges by implementing robust security measures. AI-driven facial biometrics provide high assurance identity verification, securing privileged actions and preventing lateral movement within the network.
Risk-based adaptive step-up authentication dynamically adjusts security measures based on assessed risk levels. This approach evaluates various contextual factors such as the user's location, device, IP address, and behavioral patterns to determine the risk level of an access attempt. For instance, if an employee attempts to access sensitive data from an unusual location or at an unusual time, the system may require additional authentication steps or block access altogether, ensuring enhanced security while maintaining a seamless user experience.
Phishing-Resistant Solutions
High assurance, phishing-resistant identity solutions are essential in protecting workforce users against phishing and credential compromise. End-to-end digital onboarding with global identity verification (IDV), identity and access management (IAM), and digital signing ensures a seamless onboarding experience while helping to prevent fraud. These features enhance security, improve user experience, and reduce costs associated with password management and help-desk support.
Enforcing Security Policies and Compliance
Workforce Identity is pivotal in enforcing security policies and compliance requirements and mitigating risks associated with data breaches, insider threats, and cyberattacks. It supports the principles of Zero Trust, ensuring that access to sensitive information is limited to verified and authorized users while securing privileged actions.
Conclusion
Incorporating a comprehensive Workforce Identity and Access Management solution that leverages phishing-resistant, passwordless multi-factor authentication (MFA) and AI-driven facial biometrics supports a Zero Trust architecture with an identity-centric security approach. This ensures secure access to data and resources while mitigating the damage in the event of a breach.
Entrust's IAM solution not only enhances security but also improves user experience and facilitates compliance. With a broad range of authenticators, seamless digital onboarding, and robust risk-based authentication, Entrust provides organizations with the tools they need to protect their digital assets and empower their workforce.
Ready to secure your workforce with high assurance identities? Join us in creating a safer digital environment for your organization today. For more information, check out our Workforce Identity FAQs.
