5 Ways to Balance User Productivity with Solid Authentication Protocols

Jack Wetson-Catt • Jan 16, 2022

One constant struggle in offices is the balance between productivity and security. If you give users too much freedom in your network, risk increases. But add too many security gates, and productivity can dwindle.


It’s a fine balance between the two, but one you can achieve. Organizations need to recognize the importance of both. And not sacrifice one for another.


A recent report from Microsoft notes a dangerous lack of authentication security. Just 22% of Azure Active Directory users had multi-factor authentication (MFA) enabled. This means that over three-quarters were at a much higher risk of an account breach.


Why do organizations fail to adopt important security protocols, like MFA? We know that it's as much as 99.9% effective at stopping fraudulent sign-ins. Yet so many companies aren’t adopting it.


User inconvenience is the biggest reason. MFA is not expensive. In fact, it’s free to enable in nearly all cloud applications. But if users say that it’s hurting productivity and is a pain to use, companies may not bother with it.


But sacrificing security can hurt productivity worse. Downtime due to a data breach is expensive and can put smaller companies out of business. The main cause of data breaches is credential compromise. So, if you’re not protecting your authentication process, the risk of becoming a breach victim is high.


35% of data breaches initiate from breached login credentials.


There are ways to have both secure and productive users. It simply takes adopting some solutions that can help. These are tools that improve authentication security. But do it in a way that keeps user convenience in mind.

Solutions to Improve Security Without Sacrificing Convenience

Use Contextual Authentication Rules

Not every user needs to go through the same authentication process. If someone is working in your building, they have a certain trust factor. If someone is attempting to log in from outside the country, they do not have that same trust.


Contextual authentication is used with MFA to target users that need to reach a higher bar. You may choose to limit or block system access to someone attempting to log in from a certain region. Or you may need to add an additional challenge question for users logging in after work hours.


Companies don't need to inconvenience people working from normal locations during typical hours. But they can still verify those logging in under non-typical circumstances. Some of the contextual factors you can use include:


  • Time of day
  • Location
  • The device used
  • Time of the last login
  • Type of resources accessed

Install a Single Sign-on (SSO) Solution

A report on U.S. employees found they use a lot of apps. Workers switch between an average of 13 apps 30 times per day. That’s a lot of inconvenience if they need to use an MFA action for each of those logins.


Single sign-on applications solve this problem. They merge the authentication process for several apps into just one login. Employees log in once and can go through MFA a single time.


Using multi-factor authentication isn’t nearly as inconvenient. Users gain access to everything at the same time. SSO solutions help organizations improve their security without all the pushback from users.

Recognize Devices

Another way to better secure network access is to recognize devices. This is typically done using an endpoint device manager. This automates some of the security behind user authentication. Thus, it doesn’t inconvenience the person.


First, register employee devices in the endpoint device manager. Once completed, you can then set up security rules. Such as blocking unknown devices automatically.


You can also put in place device scanning for malware and automated updates. Both these things increase security without sacrificing productivity. 

Use Role-based Authentication

Your shipping clerk may not have access to sensitive customer information. But your accounting team does. One can have a lower barrier to authentication.


Using role-based authentication saves time when setting up new employee accounts. Authentication and access happen based on the person’s role. Admins can program permissions and contextual authentication factors once. Then, the process automates as soon as an employee has their role set. 

Consider Adding Biometrics

One of the most convenient forms of authentication is biometrics. This would be a fingerprint, retina, or facial scan. The user doesn’t need to type in anything. It also takes just a few seconds.


Biometric hardware can be costly, depending on the size of your organization. But you can introduce it over time. Perhaps using biometrics with your most sensitive roles first, then expanding.


Additionally, many apps are now incorporating things like facial scanning. User can authenticate using a typical smartphone, making it much more affordable.

Need Help Improving Authentication Security?

Don’t give up important security because you’re afraid of user pushback. Give us a call and schedule a security consultation.

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by Tanya Wetson-Catt • 08 May, 2024
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by Tanya Wetson-Catt • 01 May, 2024
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What Is Microsoft Security Copilot? Should You Use It?

by Tanya Wetson-Catt • 26 Apr, 2024
It can be challenging to keep up with the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. Companies need to process large amounts of data. As well as respond to incidents quickly and effectively. Managing an organisation's security posture is complex. That's where Microsoft Security Copilot comes in. Microsoft Security Copilot is a generative AI-powered security solution. It provides tailored insights that empower your team to defend your network. It works with other Microsoft security products. It also integrates with natural language to generate tailored guidance and insights. In this article, we will explain what Microsoft Security Copilot is. We’ll explore its benefits and whether it's the right choice to enhance your digital defenses. What Is Microsoft Security Copilot? Microsoft Security Copilot is a cutting-edge cybersecurity tool. It leverages the power of AI and machine learning for threat detection and response. Copilot aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cybersecurity operations. Microsoft Security Copilot helps security teams: Respond to cyber threats Process signals Assess risk exposure at machine speed It works with other Microsoft security products as well. A big benefit is that it integrates with natural language. This means you can ask questions plainly to generate tailored guidance and insights. Security Copilot can help with end-to-end scenarios such as: Incident response Threat hunting Intelligence gathering Posture management Executive summaries on security investigations How Does Microsoft Security Copilot Work? You can access Microsoft Security Copilot capabilities through a standalone experience. As well as embedded experiences available in other Microsoft security products. Copilot integrates with several tools, including: Microsoft Sentinel Microsoft Defender XDR Microsoft Intune Microsoft Defender Threat Intelligence Microsoft Entra Microsoft Purview Microsoft Defender External Attack Surface Management Microsoft Defender for Cloud You can use natural language prompts with Security Copilot. This makes it easy to ask for information or guidance on various security topics. For example, you can ask: What are the best practices for securing Azure workloads? What is the impact of CVE-2024-23905 on my organization? Generate a report on the latest attack campaign. How do I remediate an incident involving TrickBot malware? Should You Use Microsoft Security Copilot? The Pros: 1. Advanced Threat Detection Microsoft Security Copilot employs advanced algorithms. These detect and analyse threats that may go unnoticed by traditional security measures. It has the ability to adapt to new threats in real time. This enhances the security posture for organisations.

2. Operational Efficiency

Copilot automates threat analysis. This allows security teams to focus on strategic decision-making. It also reduces the time and effort spent on manual data analysis. The tool streamlines workflows, enabling quicker responses to potential threats. 3. Integration with Microsoft Products Microsoft Security Copilot seamlessly integrates with several Microsoft products. This creates a comprehensive cybersecurity ecosystem. The synergy between these tools enhances threat visibility as well as response capabilities. 4. Continuous Learning The AI and machine learning components of Copilot continuously learn from new data. This improves their ability to identify and mitigate emerging threats over time. This adaptive learning approach ensures that the tool evolves. Which is important to do alongside the ever-changing threat landscape. 5. Reduced False Positives Copilot's advanced algorithms contribute to a more accurate threat detection process. This minimises false positives that can overwhelm security teams. The result is a more focused and efficient response to genuine threats. The Considerations: 1. Integration Challenges Microsoft Security Copilot seamlessly integrates with Microsoft and other security products. But organisations using a diverse range of cybersecurity tools may face integration challenges. Consider the compatibility of Copilot with your existing cybersecurity infrastructure.

2. Resource Requirements The deployment of advanced AI and machine learning technologies may demand extra resources. Companies should check if their existing infrastructure supports the requirements of the tool. 3. Training and Familiarization Successfully leveraging the benefits of Copilot requires training. As well as familiarisation with the tool's functionalities. Ensure that your security team is adequately trained. This will maximize the potential of this cybersecurity solution. The Bottom Line Microsoft Security Copilot represents a leap forward in the realm of AI-driven cybersecurity. It has an advanced capacity for real-time threat detection and operational efficiency. As well as extensive integration capabilities. These factors make it a compelling choice. Especially for businesses seeking to fortify their digital defences. Your unique business needs should guide the decision to adopt Microsoft Security Copilot. Consider factors such as existing cybersecurity infrastructure and resource availability. As well as the commitment to ongoing training. Get Expert Microsoft Product Support Here! Microsoft is a vast ecosystem of interconnected business tools. Security Copilot is one of the newest to help you secure your online landscape. If you need some help leveraging these tools for your company, let us know. We are experienced Microsoft service providers. Our team can help you make the most of these tools.  Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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