Looking for ways to enhance user experience and security? Well, conditional access is a great way for organizations to do this.
One issue lots of people have with additional security is how annoying and unnecessary it can seem at times. However, with conditional access, you can have granular control over who accesses your network, database, or tools based on the criteria you decide.
Sound exactly like RBAC or ABAC? Understandable! But it’s not all the same thing except for it being an authentication tool and here’s how.
What is a Conditional Access System (CAS)?
Conditional access is an authentication framework that helps organizations protect information based on different conditions based on risk and circumstances. For instance, if accessibility is being requested from a new device for the first time or a device in a different location.
Sounds familiar? No surprise! Most online platforms and applications like Google or even some payment systems use this.
The conditions on which the accessibility is restricted and the method through which the information is encrypted can vary. However, from a macro perspective, this is what a conditional access system typically does.
How Do Conditional Access Systems Work?
Conditional access systems function through a framework set by the administrators beforehand. Usually, these frameworks have different contextual signals that trigger different authentication protocols.
This is information that highlights unusual activity and changes authentication protocols based on access request signals like:
Network and IP Address
Another way to make sure your database or cloud is safe is to ensure the user is accessing it from their verified IP address or network. In cases like this, you can restrict user access and limit user access to only networks and IP addresses you have whitelisted.
The Device Being Used
If a new device is being used to access your account or database, the conditional access system would trigger an MFA authentication or 2FA authentication protocol to make sure that the user is you.
The GPS Location
This can be based on on-premises or off-premises, based on a geo-location verified as your remote work environment or city it’s being accessed in. On the whole, this method operates based on your geo-location-based data at the time of requesting access.
Browser Profile or Operating System
A signal like this can even be triggered when using the same device. A lot of the time, if you need to access a database from a new browser profile, browser, or operating system you’ll likely be required to deal with an MFA or 2FA chap protocol.
Number of Users Using the Same Profile
This is quite common in the case of SaaS applications that are usually subscription-based. If there is more than one user logged in to the same profile, either the other system is logged out or the user is issued a warning.
How Do Conditional Access Systems Improve Security?
Increases Security Across the Board
Many users find additional security measures frustrating, but Conditional Access Systems (CAS) provide precise control over access to your systems based on predefined criteria, adding to your overall security.
Is it similar to RBAC or ABAC? In some ways, yes, but CAS adds dynamic layers. For example, your access decisions can depend on real-time conditions like the user's location, device security posture, or network context.
CAS makes sure that that users must meet specific conditions, such as being in a trusted location or using a compliant device, before gaining access. This adaptive control makes CAS a powerful tool for securing resources based on dynamic factors.
Suitable for Remote Work Settings
One concern with remote work security is the challenge of securing diverse access points. Conditional Access Systems (CAS) address this by offering granular control based on specific conditions such as device compliance, user identity, and location.
Sounds like basic access control? Not quite. CAS goes further by enforcing policies that adapt based on whether access is from a trusted remote location or a high-risk environment.
This flexibility allows organizations to implement security protocols that respond to real-time factors like location or network security, ensuring that only verified users in secure environments can access sensitive data or tools remotely.
Improves the Overall User Experience
Many users view additional security as inconvenient and disruptive. However, Conditional Access Systems (CAS) offer a more seamless experience by applying security policies dynamically based on preset conditions like user identity, device status, or network context.
What CAS does is enable real-time adaptability, allowing access decisions to be made based on the user's location, device compliance, and risk level.
Through specific access requirements to specific conditions, CAS minimizes unnecessary authentication steps, streamlining the process while maintaining security, and ultimately enhancing the overall user experience without sacrificing protection.
Makes Access Management Automated
With Conditional Access Systems (CAS), you can automate access control based on predefined conditions.
CAS dynamically enforces access rules by evaluating real-time data, such as user behavior, device health, or location.
This automation ensures that access decisions are made instantly without manual intervention, reducing administrative overhead. Whether on-premises or remote, CAS streamlines access management by continuously verifying context, making security both automated and adaptive.
Better Compliance with Security and Data Regulations
Conditional Access Systems (CAS), can help you improve compliance by controlling access based on predefined criteria aligned with security and data regulations.
CAS dynamically applies rules based on factors like device security, user location, or network context.
This approach ensures that access adheres to industry-specific regulations, like GDPR or HIPAA, by automatically enforcing security protocols. On the whole, CAS provides a scalable way to maintain continuous compliance while adapting to evolving regulatory requirements.
Are Conditional Access Systems Still Relevant?
Yes! While several legacy software and services use CAS, like digital video broadcasting or ERP systems, it’s still extremely helpful. In both IAM and CIAM frameworks, conditional access systems can drastically improve your security and user experience. This helps make sure that efficiency remains a priority for your business, moreover, when paired with an SSO framework this works all the more. At Infisign, we help create flexible authentication that can tweaked based on your company's requirements. Want to know more? Why not jump on a free demo call to see how this works, free of cost?
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