It’s a given that identity-based attacks are the #1 attack vector for compromises today. There’s plenty of data that bears this out:
- 93% of organizations experienced 2 or more identity-based attacks in 2024[1]
- For 91% of organizations, identity security was a Top 5 cyber initiative[2]
- 93% of organizations expect AI-related, identity-based attacks[3]
At the same time, organizations in both the public and private sector are moving as fast as they can away from password-based authentication technologies, following CISA’s guidance to invest in PKI-based system like FIDO or certificate-based authentication[4].
Strong credentials like FIDO2 passkeys and X.509 certificates have proven to be the most scalable and automated way to strengthen authentication, but they need a trust anchor: in a Zero Trust world, credentials can’t be distributed and managed without some solid, auditable point of identity verification built into the cycle.
Why Identity Verification Matters
Identity verification is the foundation of trust: it’s the first and most critical step in building a secure relationship between a worker and an organization. It’s what ensures that “John Doe” isn’t just someone typing in a name and password, but is actually the person he says he is, with the credentials and legal authority to work for the company. Without verified identities, any authentication mechanism – even a credential management system using FIDO and TLS – is built on shaky ground.
The rise of remote work has made identity verification more important than ever. In a traditional office, verifying identity might have meant checking a driver’s license in person or handing over an employee badge. But with distributed teams, contractors, and freelancers accessing systems from around the world, organizations need robust digital methods of verifying identity.
Identity verification ensures that the person joining a Zoom meeting or accessing a VPN isn't a threat actor exploiting a gap in oversight, but a verified member of the team.
Not only that, but regulatory compliance is also calling for identity verification: industries like finance, healthcare, and government are bound by strict regulations that require identity verification as part of workforce onboarding and authentication. For example, the GDPR in Europe and HIPAA in the U.S. place strict mandates on who can access sensitive data. Inadequate verification processes can lead to hefty fines, lawsuits, and irreparable reputational damage.
The Worker’s Experience: To Enhance or To Inhibit?
Users don’t want to jump through endless hoops—they want fast, secure access. Verified identity lays the groundwork for a frictionless experience without compromising security ... but often interrupts workflows. No one wants that.
The trick is to enable inline, repeatable identity verification that actually streamlines workforce authentication. Once an individual is verified, organizations can enable seamless access via single sign-on (SSO), biometrics, or multi-factor authentication (MFA), enhancing both security and usability. If an action or request is deemed too risky or if parameters change –– like location, role, or data sensitivity –– the authentication process should be able to reinvoke identity verification in the same process that verifies the validity of the credential being used.
That’s integrated, inline identity verification.
Axiad Conductor: Closing the Loop
But for many organizations, there are completely separate processes responsible for identity verification and credential management.
This creates unnecessary overhead, extra work and frustration. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could close the loop between initial identity verification, credential management, and seamless workforce authentication? Wouldn’t it be even better if the same system that managed your strong credentials––issuing, renewing, revoking, auditing––could also give you integrated, inline identity verification?
In the weeks between RSA in San Francisco and Identiverse in Las Vegas, Axiad will be making an announcement that our customers have been eager to hear.
Check back to this blog for more!
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[1] Cyber identity security threat landscape report 2024 https://www.cyberark.com/resources/ebooks/identity-security-threat-landscape-2024-report
[2] https://www.idsalliance.org/white-paper/2024-trends-in-securing-digital-identities/
[3] Cyber identity security threat landscape report 2024 https://www.cyberark.com/resources/ebooks/identity-security-threat-landscape-2024-report