In a significant advancement for enterprise security, HID Global and Microsoft have announced a strategic integration that allows organizations to utilize their existing physical access cards for multi-factor authentication (MFA) with Microsoft's Entra ID. This collaboration aims to streamline the transition to passwordless authentication, offering a more secure, efficient, and cost-effective solution for businesses leveraging Microsoft 365 and other Microsoft services.
This integration addresses the growing need for robust security measures in an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated. Microsoft has mandated MFA for certain user categories within its ecosystem, and HID's solution provides an effective means for organizations to comply with these requirements using the credentials their employees already possess.
Eleanor Falla, Senior Product Manager for Microsoft Security, highlighted the flexibility and convenience of this integration: "HID’s integration offers flexibility with its many authenticator choices and the convenience of using existing physical cards to access both facilities and digital resources as an MFA factor."
Entra ID's External Authentication Method (EAM) is a key feature that allows organizations to incorporate third-party MFA solutions. This flexibility enables businesses to select the authentication methods that best align with their security policies and operational needs.
Key highlights of HID’s Authentication Service include:
For organizations prepared to advance further, HID offers solutions that support a complete passwordless authentication framework. Utilizing passkeys or certificate-based authentication, available through HID’s Crescendo card or key product lines, businesses can fully transition to a passwordless environment, further bolstering their security posture.
This integration not only addresses immediate security concerns but also sets the stage for future advancements in authentication technologies. As organizations continue to prioritize security and user convenience, solutions like those offered by HID and Microsoft will be instrumental in shaping the next generation of identity and access management systems.
Source: Campus ID News HID enables existing ID cards to provide secure login to Microsoft Entra ID and 360
Seamless Integration of Physical and Digital Security
HID Global's latest integration with Microsoft Entra ID marks a pivotal shift in how organizations approach identity and access management. By enabling the use of existing physical access cards—such as MIFARE Classic, DESFire, iCLASS, SEOS, and Prox—for MFA, organizations can reinforce their security protocols without the need for significant infrastructural changes or additional hardware investments.This integration addresses the growing need for robust security measures in an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated. Microsoft has mandated MFA for certain user categories within its ecosystem, and HID's solution provides an effective means for organizations to comply with these requirements using the credentials their employees already possess.
Empowering Passwordless Authentication
The move towards passwordless authentication is gaining momentum, driven by the need to eliminate the vulnerabilities associated with traditional password-based systems. HID's integration with Entra ID facilitates this transition by allowing employees to use their physical ID cards as an MFA token. This dual functionality not only simplifies the user experience but also enhances security by reducing the reliance on passwords, which are often susceptible to phishing and other cyber-attacks.Eleanor Falla, Senior Product Manager for Microsoft Security, highlighted the flexibility and convenience of this integration: "HID’s integration offers flexibility with its many authenticator choices and the convenience of using existing physical cards to access both facilities and digital resources as an MFA factor."
Understanding Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft Entra ID, formerly known as Azure Active Directory, serves as Microsoft's cloud-based identity and access management (IAM) solution. It provides secure access to a broad range of resources, including Microsoft 365, Azure services, external Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, and on-premises resources within corporate networks.Entra ID's External Authentication Method (EAM) is a key feature that allows organizations to incorporate third-party MFA solutions. This flexibility enables businesses to select the authentication methods that best align with their security policies and operational needs.
HID’s Authentication Service: Features and Benefits
HID's Authentication Service plays a crucial role in this integration by leveraging existing physical access cards that support open standards like ISO 14443A CSN. This includes a variety of card types such as MIFARE Classic, DESFire EV1-3, iCLASS, SEOS, and Prox, ensuring broad compatibility across different organizational infrastructures.Key highlights of HID’s Authentication Service include:
- Passwordless MFA: Enhances security by eliminating the need for traditional passwords, thereby reducing the risk of phishing and other password-based attacks.
- Support for Cloud and On-Premises Deployments: Ensures that organizations can implement MFA across diverse environments without compatibility issues.
- Multiple Authentication Methods: Includes FIDO Passkeys, smart cards, biometrics, and one-time password (OTP) tokens, providing organizations with versatile options to meet their specific security requirements.
- Cost-Effective Implementation: Utilizes existing physical ID cards, minimizing the need for additional hardware or extensive employee training.
Flexible Implementation for Diverse Organizational Needs
The flexibility of HID’s solution means that organizations at different stages of their security maturity can adopt MFA seamlessly. For those not yet ready to fully embrace passwordless authentication, the integration with Entra ID EAM provides an immediate pathway to enhance security using existing physical credentials.For organizations prepared to advance further, HID offers solutions that support a complete passwordless authentication framework. Utilizing passkeys or certificate-based authentication, available through HID’s Crescendo card or key product lines, businesses can fully transition to a passwordless environment, further bolstering their security posture.
A Step Towards a Broader Passwordless Future
HID’s collaboration with Microsoft is part of a broader initiative to promote the adoption of phishing-resistant, passwordless authentication across enterprises. By providing a solution that integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure, HID and Microsoft are lowering the barriers to entry for organizations looking to enhance their security measures without disrupting their operational workflows.This integration not only addresses immediate security concerns but also sets the stage for future advancements in authentication technologies. As organizations continue to prioritize security and user convenience, solutions like those offered by HID and Microsoft will be instrumental in shaping the next generation of identity and access management systems.
Conclusion
The partnership between HID Global and Microsoft represents a forward-thinking approach to enterprise security, merging physical and digital access controls to provide a unified, secure, and user-friendly authentication experience. By leveraging existing physical ID cards for MFA with Microsoft Entra ID, organizations can achieve a higher level of security while simplifying the user experience and reducing costs. This integration underscores the importance of adaptable and comprehensive security solutions in today’s dynamic threat landscape, paving the way for a more secure and efficient future in identity and access management.Source: Campus ID News HID enables existing ID cards to provide secure login to Microsoft Entra ID and 360