How Biometric Authentication on a Published Application Improves Data Security

What Does Biometric Authentication on a Published Application Mean?

Biometric authentication on a published application is an advanced form of authentication beyond just two-factor authentication. It leverages biometrics to verify the identity of a user wishing to gain access to a virtual application from a client. Common biometric authentication methods include fingerprint scans, facial recognition scans, retina scans, and speaker (voice) identification.

Biometric Authentication Methods

These biometric authentication methods may be used to identify people digitally:

How Do Organizations in the Financial, Public, and Healthcare Sectors Benefit from Biometric Authentication?

Data security is a major concern in the financial, public, and healthcare sectors. It’s why laws and regulations like the following were put in place:

All these laws and regulations have stringent user-authentication requirements. In fact, some of them (like HIPAA and PCI DSS) explicitly recommend using biometrics as a method of authentication. PCI DSS Requirement 8.1 stipulates:

“In addition to assigning a unique ID, ensure proper user-authentication management for non-consumer users and administrators on all system components by employing at least one of the following methods to authenticate all users:

A similar specification can likewise be found in the HIPAA Standard § 164.312(d), i.e., Person or Entity Authentication.

The Need to Improve Authentication in Virtual Applications

The growing adoption of virtual applications in the financial, public, and healthcare sectors has greatly improved data security in those areas. Organizations can reduce their attack surface by removing sensitive data from endpoint devices and moving them into a secure, central location.

However, because those endpoints unavoidably act as the main entry points into that centrally stored data, it is imperative that users gaining access through those endpoint devices first go through a strict authentication process. The usual username and password authentication will not suffice. Parallels® RAS can help in that regard.

Using Biometric Authentication with Parallels RAS

Parallels RAS iOS clients now support Touch ID®, which enables two-factor authentication when combined with passcode entry. Passcode entry authenticates with something the user knows (the password), while Touch ID authenticates with something the user is (his/her thumbprint).

Make use of your biometric devices with Parallels RAS!

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