As IT environments grow increasingly complex, the necessity for advanced security measures at the endpoint level has never been more critical. This year will bring a wave of new challenges and opportunities in cybersecurity. Two prominent trends that will shape the future of enterprise security are the shift toward biometrics and multi-factor authentication in identity management and the crucial role of automation in securing applications and managing patches.
The Evolution of Identity Verification
The traditional password is becoming less central as enterprises move towards more secure and user-friendly methods of identity verification. The integration of biometrics and multi-factor authentication (MFA) into Single Sign-On (SSO) systems not only adds a robust layer of security but also signifies a fundamental shift in managing digital identities. Enterprises are increasingly adopting biometric technologies across various platforms and enhancing identity management solutions, such as Azure Entra ID (WIndows Hello), Apple’s Touch ID, and Okta, which provide sophisticated cross-platform identity verification. These enhanced identity management solutions enable users to leverage their digital identities across multiple SaaS offerings, necessitating stringent security measures to protect these integrations.
Yet, the full adoption of MFA technologies has not yet been realized. Osterman Research finds that while 90% of organizations report that multifactor authentication is an effective identity security solution, just 5% say it covers every employee and app. A user-centric approach must be adopted to ensure seamless access without compromising security. Organizations need to balance the enhanced security these technologies provide with the necessity for smooth, uninterrupted user experiences. Implementing these robust identity verification systems requires a thoughtful strategy that prioritizes both security and user accessibility. This is where digital employee experiences (DEX) platforms play a crucial role by enhancing both security and operational efficiency.
The Necessity for Automated Security Solutions
As the number of both installed and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications proliferates, manual management of security settings and updates is becoming impractical. The emergence of DEX platforms as a cornerstone for addressing these challenges is evident as they automate security processes that would otherwise burden IT teams.
Among the most valuable automation is for tedious patching processes so that IT may ensure timely updates to installed applications, significantly reducing the window of exposure to potential security threats. Systematic monitoring of access patterns and credentials in SaaS applications also helps preemptively identify and mitigate potential breaches. Further, intelligent automation can also help prioritize security tasks, allowing IT staff to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance.
4 Steps to Simplify Security through the Integration of Identity Management and Automation
By integrating advanced identity verification methods with automation, DEX platforms can help organizations achieve a more secure and efficient IT environment. Consider these four ways this integration can improve your security posture at the endpoint:
- Implement Scalable Identity Systems: As the digital workspace becomes more complex, the need for scalable identity systems grows. These systems must be robust and secure but also scalable across different operational environments, ensuring that security scales with the growth and diversification of enterprise technologies. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global biometric system market size is expected to reach USD 82.9 billion by 2027, indicating a growing reliance on advanced identity verification technologies. DEX platforms facilitate this scalability by integrating and managing various identity solutions seamlessly across the organization.
- Embrace Automation for Security Management: The proliferation of SaaS and other cloud-based applications has made managing security manually untenable for most organizations. Automation is essential for managing increasingly complex application portfolios and ensuring the consistent application of security policies across all platforms. It also lowers the overall cost of potential breaches: Ponemon Institute found that organizations using AI-powered and automation security tools had an average of $1.88 million lower security breach cost. By automating routine tasks such as patch management and threat detection, IT teams can allocate more resources toward strategic security planning and risk management. Advanced DEX platforms are instrumental in deploying these automated solutions, offering tools that streamline the security management process across various endpoints and applications.
- Maintain a Balance Between Security and User Experience: The intersection of security and user experience is critical; overly strict security can impede usability, while too little security can leave systems vulnerable. Developing security frameworks that protect systems without detracting from the user experience is essential. This balance can be achieved by employing user-friendly security measures such as streamlined single sign-on solutions and adaptive authentication processes that adjust security levels based on the user’s risk profile and behavior. DEX platforms support these initiatives by providing a holistic view of the user experience and security interactions, ensuring that security measures do not hinder productivity or user engagement.
- Adapt to Emerging Threats: The rapid evolution of technology and its associated threats requires organizations to develop flexible security infrastructures that can quickly adapt to new challenges. This adaptability is crucial when the nature of threats can change dramatically in a short period. Leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning can aid in predicting and responding to emerging threats more effectively. For example, AI-driven security systems can analyze patterns and predict potential breaches before they occur, allowing organizations to preemptively tighten security measures. Building a security infrastructure that is both robust and adaptable ensures that organizations can respond to new threats swiftly, thereby minimizing potential damages and maintaining continuous security operations. DEX platforms play a pivotal role in this adaptability by enabling real-time analytics and threat detection capabilities that enhance the responsiveness of security systems.
By focusing on these strategic areas, organizations can enhance their preparedness for the evolving security challenges of 2025, ensuring they remain resilient in the face of both current and emerging cyber threats.
Marcel Calef is an experienced technology leader currently serving as the Americas Field CTO at ControlUp since August 2017, where responsibility includes leading the deployment of the Secure DX product and managing a white glove program for existing customers. Marcel earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tel Aviv University.
The opinions expressed in this post belongs to the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Information Security Buzz.
