What Is Strong Authentication? Importance and Best Practices

Cybercriminals often steal credentials and exploit weak authentication because it provides a direct path into systems. This process fuels many cyberattacks—and when it comes to authentication, relying on passwords alone isn’t enough to stop them.

Strong authentication raises the bar by requiring multiple verification factors before granting access. This extra layer makes it exponentially harder for attackers to exploit stolen or weak credentials.

What Is Strong Authentication?

Unlike traditional password-based authentication, strong authentication requires multiple factors to verify identity, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. It usually includes two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA).

These additional factors typically fall into three categories: something you know (like a password or PIN), something you have (like a security key or mobile authenticator), and something you are (like a fingerprint or facial recognition). The key to strong authentication is that these factors work together—if one is compromised, another still protects the system.

Strong authentication methods secure sensitive data, enforce compliance, and strengthen your overall security posture. For instance, credentials leaked from CI/CD pipelines could expose entire systems. Implementing authentication best practices and securing secrets helps prevent this risk.

The Importance of Strong Authentication

Weak authentication gives attackers easier access to systems, which can lead to complete system access, data breaches, and financial losses. With strong authentication, cybercriminals must prove multiple factors to break through. This added layer of security protects sensitive information and reduces credential-based attacks.

Implementing authentication best practices strengthens your authentication cybersecurity strategy, especially when handling sensitive information. Following additional best practices, like API key security, also prevents outside access and protects against evolving threats.

What Is Strong Customer Authentication?

Strong customer authentication (SCA) is a security requirement under the European Union’s Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2), a standard designed to prevent fraud in electronic payments. It makes sure that customers verify their identity using at least two independent authentication factors. These factors must each come from a different category—something the customer knows, has, or is, as explored above.

SCA applies to most customer-initiated online payments in the European Economic Area (EEA). You must comply if your business processes electronic transactions using credit or debit cards, bank transfers, or digital wallets in this area. But some transactions—like recurring direct debits, low-value purchases, and merchant-initiated payments—may qualify for exemptions.

To determine whether SCA affects you, evaluate your payment processes and consult your payment service provider to ensure compliance with the necessary authentication measures.

Understanding why authentication is important goes beyond payment security. Proper authentication methods protect sensitive data across other business areas. Strengthening authentication is just one step in securing critical assets, and a security assessment report can help identify gaps in your authentication strategy.

4 Strong Authentication Best Practices

Implementing authentication and secrets management best practices keeps credentials safe and secure, reducing the risk of hackers getting access.

To stay ahead of evolving threats, follow these best practices:

Adaptive authentication: Not all login attempts carry the same risk. Adaptive authentication analyzes factors like location, device, and user behavior to determine the appropriate level of security. If a login attempt looks suspicious—like if it comes from an unusual time or location—it triggers additional verification to prevent unauthorized access
Layered security: No single security measure is foolproof. Combining strong authentication with endpoint protection, encryption, and access controls means that even if one layer is compromised, others remain intact to deter attackers. For example, smart cards provide an additional layer of security by requiring users to authenticate with a physical card and PIN.
Transition to passwordless authentication: Passwordless authentication methods, such as FIDO-based authentication, eliminate the need for passwords. Led by the FIDO Alliance, these standards use cryptographic security methods instead of passwords for stronger authentication.
Regular policy reviews and updates: Threats evolve, and so should your authentication strategy. Regularly review authentication policies, uphold compliance with security frameworks, and update methods based on emerging threats to maintain long-term security.

Examples of Strong Authentication

Several authentication methods can be used to verify an individual, and a few of these authentication examples are listed below.

One-time passwords (OTPs): Authentication systems send these short-lived codes via SMS, email, or authentication apps. They act as a second layer of verification. Since OTPs expire quickly and can’t be reused, they reduce the risk of credential-based attacks.
Biometric authentication: Fingerprints, facial recognition, and retina scans provide a highly secure and convenient authentication method. Unlike passwords, biometrics are unique to each user, meaning they’re difficult to steal or duplicate.
App-generated codes: Instead of relying on text messages, authentication apps like Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator generate time-sensitive passcodes. These codes remain device-bound and offer better protection against phishing attacks.
Hardware security keys: Devices like YubiKeys provide an additional authentication factor via cryptographic authentication. Private keys in this type of hardware provide phishing-resistant authentication, making them a strong option for high-security environments.
Push notifications: Some authentication apps allow users to verify login attempts by approving or denying a request directly on their mobile device. The method prevents attackers from just using stolen credentials to get access.

Strong Authentication Use Cases

Strong authentication protects sensitive data across industries. Here are some common use cases where strong authentication plays a key role:

Healthcare

Patient records contain valuable personal information, making them a popular target for cybercriminals. Strong authentication allows only authorized personnel to access electronic health records (EHRs), medical devices, and prescribing systems, helping healthcare organizations comply with HIPAA and prevent medical identity theft.

Government and public services

Government agencies handle everything from tax records to classified intelligence, which makes security a high priority. A strong authentication system protects government portals, prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data, and avoids tampering.

Corporate and enterprise security

Businesses rely on strong authentication to safeguard internal networks, cloud applications, and employee accounts. This mitigates insider threats and lets remote workers log in securely from any location.

Financial services and banking

Online banking and mobile transactions are high-value targets for fraud. Strong authentication—like biometric verification and adaptive MFA—adds extra layers of security to protect customer accounts and prevent unauthorized transactions.

Infrastructure and utilities

Energy grids, water treatment plants, and transportation systems face constant cyberthreats. Strong authentication prevents attackers from accessing operational controls, reducing the risk of outages and service disruptions.

Enhancing Strong Authentication With Legit Security

Strong authentication is the first defense against unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyberthreats. But authentication alone isn't enough. Organizations also have to protect their secrets, like credentials and API keys.

Legit Security can identify where your organization has permissions issues, spotting potential escalations before they have the chance to grow. Plus, Legit Security’s secrets scanner gives you the visibility, prevention, and remediation capabilities you need to secure sensitive information across the entire development lifecycle.

Gain the visibility and control you need to prevent security gaps before they become breaches. Book a demo today.