Protecting Privileged Accounts With FIDO2 Security Keys

Securing privileged accounts with FIDO2 security keys is the best way to protect them from internal and external threats because they offer enhanced security and convenience compared to traditional authentication methods.

Continue reading to learn more about why traditional methods are insufficient for protecting privileged accounts, how FIDO2 enhances security and the benefits of using FIDO2 for privileged accounts.

Why traditional authentication methods fall short for privileged accounts

Using traditional authentication methods for privileged accounts, such as password-based authentication and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), can leave them vulnerable to various cyber attacks.

Password-based authentication

Password-based authentication is inherently vulnerable due to human error, poor password hygiene and its susceptibility to exploitation through methods like phishing, social engineering and brute force attacks. For instance, many users create weak passwords and reuse them across multiple websites, making it easy for cybercriminals to guess those passwords and access sensitive information. 

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Although MFA is more secure than passwords alone, it still has vulnerabilities. Many MFA methods are susceptible to cyber attacks such as SIM swapping, Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks and phishing One-Time Password (OTP) codes, which can bypass these protections. For instance, in a phishing attack, cybercriminals can trick users into revealing their codes, undermining the effectiveness of MFA and compromising account security. 

What is FIDO2 and does it enhance security?

FIDO2 is a set of authentication standards that enable passwordless, secure user authentication. It relies on asymmetric encryption, using a pair of public and private keys for authentication. The public key is stored on the service provider’s server, while the private key remains securely stored on the user’s device, ensuring that only authorized users with access to their device can authenticate. This also means that even if the authentication server is compromised, user credentials cannot be stolen. FIDO2 consists of two key components: Web Authentication (WebAuthn) and the Client-to-Authenticator Protocol (CTAP). WebAuthn is an API that allows browsers to authenticate users without passwords, while CTAP enables communication between the authenticator and the user’s device. These protocols form the foundation of FIDO2’s passwordless authentication model. 

Here’s how FIDO2 leverages public key cryptography.

1. Registration: When a user registers with a FIDO2-supported online service, their device generates a unique public-private key pair. This key pair is tied to that specific web application and is used only for that service. 

2. Authentication: Each time the user logs in to the service, the server sends a challenge to the user’s device. The device uses the private key to sign the challenge, which is then sent back to the server. The server verifies the signature with the public key, ensuring the user has possession of the private key. 

By utilizing a private and public key pair, the FIDO2 authentication process validates a user’s identity without the need for passwords. Instead, it relies on a combination of biometrics and security keys to recognize the user, offering a stronger yet convenient alternative authentication method. FIDO2 is also more secure and easier to use than MFA because it doesn’t require transmitting sensitive information like OTPs, reducing the risks of SIM swapping and phishing attacks. 

A FIDO2 security key is a physical device that stores the private key. When a user needs to log into an account, they insert the FIDO2 security key when prompted and tap it, signing the challenge with the private key.

The benefits of using FIDO2 security keys for privileged accounts

Using FIDO2 security keys offers many benefits, including strong resistance to phishing attacks, the elimination of passwords, simple and user-friendly authentication, and scalability across enterprise environments. 

Resistant to phishing

One of the greatest advantages of using FIDO2 security keys is their immunity to phishing attacks due to them being physical hardware. This prevents cybercriminals from stealing authentication credentials through methods like social engineering or spoofed websites. 

Simple and user-friendly

FIDO2 enhances the user experience by eliminating the need to remember multiple passwords for each online account or rely on complex MFA methods. Instead, users can easily authenticate by inserting or tapping a hardware key or using biometrics, such as a fingerprint or facial recognition scan. This makes authentication both secure and hassle-free while still protecting privileged accounts.

Scalable across enterprise environments

FIDO2 security keys can be deployed to secure a large number of privileged accounts across an organization, making them an ideal security solution for enterprise environments. They provide strong protection, ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive systems without adding complexity to existing infrastructure. Regardless of the browser or platform an organization uses, FIDO2 streamlines the user login experience, making it a scalable solution that adapts to an organization’s needs. 

Supports compliance and industry standards 

FIDO2 supports compliance with key regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), SOC 2, NIST and HIPAA by providing a secure, passwordless authentication method that strengthens data protection and privacy. By implementing FIDO2, organizations can ensure that sensitive information or data is never transmitted or stored in vulnerable ways. This also reduces the risk of data breaches, strengthens the organization’s security posture and helps it meet critical compliance requirements. 

Implement FIDO2 security keys in your organization

Securing privileged accounts within your organization is critical to maintaining the integrity of your systems and sensitive data, and FIDO2 security keys are a great method to help. Keeper supports the use of FIDO2 security keys as a 2FA method to access the vault on all devices. Admins can enforce the use of FIDO2 security keys and require that a security key is used as the only 2FA method. This added layer of security helps protect against unauthorized access, ensuring your organization’s critical resources remain secure.