iProov has announced the integration of its biometric authentication platform into Microsoft Entra ID, offering enhanced security for more than 345 million users worldwide.

Organizations can now use iProov’s biometric technology as a primary or secondary authentication factor to verify workers’ identities when accessing workstations via Windows login, on shared terminals, for physical access to buildings as well as in a browser environment outside the office. 

Impersonation

Securing workforce access is an increasingly urgent challenge as criminals and hostile states adopt newly sophisticated and successful impersonation tactics.

These include targeted phishing and the use of synthetic identities, where criminals combine real and fabricated information to create entirely new personas with alarming realism.

Fraud at onboarding poses a proven threat to employers as it enables malicious actors to gain access to sensitive systems and data under the guise of being legitimate employees.

Two factor authentication and fraud

In addition to onboarding, weaknesses in two-factor authentication and especially the lack of secure processes for account recovery, expose many organizations to losses from workforce identity fraud.

According to the 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 81% of data breaches involved compromised credentials, highlighting organizations’ vulnerability to attacks exploiting stolen or fabricated identities. 

These evolving threats highlight the need for organizations to move beyond vulnerable verification technologies like passwords and one-time passcodes to embrace robust identity authentication solutions that leverage advanced technologies like facial biometrics with liveness detection.

This ensures that only authorized and legitimate individuals gain access and effectively mitigates the risk of identity fraud.  

“A seamless, user-friendly and device-independent experience”

Andrew Bud, Founder and CEO, iProov commented: “Enterprises reliant on Microsoft Entra ID can now use this integration to secure themselves against some new and very disturbing risks, with our proven solution.

“By combining iProov’s advanced biometric and liveness technology with Microsoft Entra ID’s comprehensive identity management, we’re empowering organizations to defend against workforce identity fraud, including synthetic identities and deepfakes, while ensuring a seamless, user-friendly and device-independent experience for their workforce.”

“More critical than ever”

Will Hogg, Strategic Technology Strategist, Microsoft UK stated: “Securing workforce access in today’s environment is more critical than ever.

“By integrating iProov’s technology into the Microsoft Entra ecosystem organizations can add highly secure and user-friendly facial biometrics to ensure that only authorized individuals gain access to shared workstations, facilities and sensitive systems.”

Entra ID and biometric authentication

The integration means organizations can continue to use all of Microsoft Entra ID’s robust identity and access management capabilities and benefits with the added advantage of iProov’s biometric authentication as an additional factor without complex integration allowing them to:

• Streamline onboarding: Automate employee onboarding with secure and efficient identity verification, eliminating manual processes and reducing administrative overhead whilst effectively blocking impostors
• Strengthen security: Enhance security posture with multi-factor authentication that combines iProov’s liveness-assured biometric technology with Microsoft Entra ID’s conditional access policies
• Improve user experience: Provide a low-friction authentication experience for employees with single sign-on (SSO) and password-less login options, on any device including shared devices or users’ private devices
• Increase productivity: Empower employees to access the resources they need quickly and securely, boosting productivity and reducing IT support requests

Securing high-security locations

In environments where employees cannot bring their own devices or where devices are shared, securing physical and system access in high-security locations becomes even more critical.

iProov says that its biometric authentication, integrated with Microsoft Entra ID, provides a robust solution:

Strong identity verification:

• iProov’s biometric technology confirms that the individual attempting access is a legitimate employee, relying solely on their inherent biometric traits
• This prevents unauthorized access even when devices cannot be used for authentication

Convenient and secure authentication: 

• Employees can authenticate quickly and easily using only their face, eliminating the need for passwords, PINs or access cards that can be lost, stolen or shared

Enhanced security with multi-factor authentication (MFA): 

• Combine iProov’s biometric technology with Entra ID’s MFA for layered security, ensuring only authorized individuals access sensitive areas

Entra ID use across industries

This integration offers significant benefits for a wide range of industries, including:

• Manufacturing: Secure access to factory floors and production lines, ensuring only authorized personnel can operate machinery and access sensitive areas
• Healthcare: Protect patient data and ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations by verifying the identities of healthcare professionals accessing sensitive information
• Financial services: Securely authenticate employees accessing customer accounts and financial systems, preventing fraud and safeguarding sensitive data
• Government: Streamline and secure access to government systems and data, ensuring only authorized personnel can access confidential information