Risk-based authentication (RBA) is an innovative method of authentication that adapts to the varying levels of risk associated with accessing a system. The goal of RBA is to protect systems from unauthorized or malicious access by applying different levels of stringency to the authentication process based on the likelihood of compromise.
In RBA, the authentication system first assesses the risk of an authentication request initiated by a user. This assessment takes into consideration a variety of risk factors such as the user’s geographic location, IP address, device familiarity, sensitivity of the information being accessed, antivirus software updates, presence of anonymizing proxies, transaction value, presence of malware, and the user’s history of security incidents.
Based on the analysis of these factors, RBA calculates a risk score, which quantifies the possibility that the login attempt is illegal or malicious. This score is generated in real-time and is used to categorize the connection as low-risk, medium-risk, or high-risk.
For low-risk connections, the user is granted access to the system without any additional authentication factors. This is typically the case when a user logs in from the same device or location or when using a virtual private connection (VPN).
Medium-risk connections require the user to provide additional information to confirm their identity. This could involve providing an email address or answering additional security questions. These connections are considered medium-risk when the correct credentials are entered, but the user logs in from an unfamiliar device.
High-risk connections, on the other hand, may prompt the system to ask for additional authentication factors or automatically deny access. Examples of high-risk connections include logging in from a different location known for cybercrime activities or attempting to complete e-commerce transactions or fund transfers between online bank accounts.
To provide additional authentication factors, RBA may request various methods such as the use of security tokens, verification links sent via email, one-time password (OTP) codes sent via text message, OTP codes generated by authenticator apps or physical authorization security tokens, security questions and answers set by the user, and even biometric information like fingerprints or face scans.
RBA is commonly used in industries that deal with sensitive or confidential accounts, such as banks and online financial institutions. It can also be found in popular email applications, e-commerce sites, and social media platforms like Gmail, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Amazon.
The implementation of RBA offers several benefits compared to traditional password-only authentication methods. It provides stronger authentication and more reliable account security by matching the level of authentication to the perceived risk. This reduces the risk of account compromise and cyberfraud.
Additionally, RBA does not burden low-risk users with additional security steps like two-factor authentication (2FA) or multifactor authentication (MFA), which improves usability and user experiences. By requiring additional authentication factors only when necessary, RBA streamlines the authentication process and improves overall system security.
In conclusion, risk-based authentication is a dynamic method of authentication that adjusts the level of stringency based on the perceived risk of accessing a system. By analyzing various risk factors and requesting additional authentication factors when necessary, RBA provides stronger security and a better user experience. Its implementation in industries that deal with sensitive accounts has proven effective in reducing the risk of unauthorized access and cyberfraud.