5 user authentication methods that can prevent the next breach

There is a growing demand for different types of user authentication technologies for both online and physical systems. The motivation to authenticate users ranges from access control and compliance to business development goals, such as enabling e-commerce. 

Organizations need to understand that passwords are not the only way to authenticate users. There are a wide variety of authentication technologies and an even greater range of activities that require diverse authentication methods. 

What is user authentication? 

Authentication is the process of identifying users that request access to a system, network, or device. Access control often determines user identity according to credentials like username and password. Other authentication technologies, like biometrics and authentication apps, are also used to authenticate user identity. 

Why is user authentication important? 

User authentication is a method that keeps unauthorized users from accessing sensitive information. For example, User A only has access to relevant information and cannot see the sensitive information of User B.  

Cybercriminals can gain access to a system and steal information when user authentication is not secure. The data breaches at companies like Adobe, Equifax, and Yahoo are examples of what happens when organizations fail to secure user authentication.  

Hackers gained access to Yahoo user accounts to steal contacts, calendars, and private emails between 2012 and 2016. The Equifax data breach in 2017 exposed credit data of more than 147 million consumers. More recently, Microsoft confirmed that a nation-state threat actor compromised corporate email accounts by forging authentication tokens, demonstrating how modern attacks increasingly target identity systems. In another incident in 2024, National Public Data (NPD) suffered a major breach that exposed more than 2.9 billion customer records. Without a secure authentication process, any organization could be at risk. 

In 2025, cybersecurity researchers uncovered a massive data leak exposing more than 16 billion stolen credentials online. This shows that weak passwords and outdated authentication practices remain one of the biggest threats to digital security. 

5 common authentication types 

Cybercriminals always improve their attacks. As a result, security teams are facing plenty of authentication-related challenges. This is why companies are starting to implement more sophisticated incident response strategies, including authentication as part of the process. The list below reviews some common authentication methods used to secure modern systems. 

1. Password-based authentication 

Passwords are the most common methods of authentication. Passwords can be in the form of a string of letters, numbers, or special characters. To protect yourself, you need to create strong passwords that include a combination of all possible options.  

However, passwords are prone to phishing attacks and poor hygiene, which weaken their effectiveness. According to KnowBe4’s Phishing Threat Trends Report 2025, more than 80% of phishing emails now leverage AI-generated content, making it harder to detect through traditional filters. An average person has about 25 different online accounts, but only 22% of users use different passwords across them.  

The truth is that there are a lot of passwords to remember. As a result, many people choose convenience over security. Most people use simple passwords instead of creating reliable passwords because they are easier to remember.  

The bottom line is that passwords have a lot of weaknesses and are not sufficient in protecting online information. Hackers can easily guess user credentials by running through all possible combinations until they find a match. 

2. Multi-factor authentication 

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an authentication method that requires two or more independent ways to identify a user. Examples include codes generated by a smartphone, Captcha tests, fingerprints, voice biometrics or facial recognition.  

MFA methods and technologies increase user confidence by adding multiple layers of security. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), enabling MFA makes accounts 99 % less likely to be hacked. While MFA is a strong defense, it still has pitfalls: people may lose their phones or SIM cards and be unable to generate an authentication code, and attackers can exploit weaker MFA methods like SMS-based codes or push notification fatigue. 

3. Certificate-based authentication 

Certificate-based authentication technologies identify users, machines, or devices by using digital certificates. A digital certificate is an electronic document based on the idea of a driver’s license or a passport.  

The certificate contains the digital identity of a user, including a public key, and the digital signature of a certification authority. Digital certificates prove ownership of a public key and are issued only by a certification authority.  

Users provide their digital certificates when they sign into a server. The server verifies the credibility of the digital signature and the certificate of authority. The server then uses cryptography to confirm that the user has a correct private key associated with the certificate. 

4. Biometric authentication 

Biometric authentication is a security process that relies on the unique biological characteristics of an individual. Here are key advantages of using biometric authentication technologies: 

• Biological characteristics can be easily compared to authorized features saved in a database.  
• Biometric authentication can control physical access when installed on gates and doors.  
• You can add biometrics to your multi-factor authentication process. 

To read more about the advantages and disadvantages of biometric authentication, read our dedicated blog post here.  

Biometric authentication technologies are used by consumers, governments, and private corporations, including airports, military bases, and national borders. The technology is increasingly adopted due to the ability to achieve a high level of security without creating friction for the user. Common biometric authentication methods include: 

• Facial recognition matches the different face characteristics of an individual trying to gain access to an approved face stored in a database. Face recognition can be inconsistent when comparing faces at different angles or comparing people who look similar, like close relatives. Facial liveness like Mitek’s passive facial liveness prevents spoofing. 
• Fingerprint scanners match the unique patterns on an individual's fingerprints. Some new versions of fingerprint scanners can even assess the vascular patterns in people's fingers. Fingerprint scanners are currently the most popular biometric technology for everyday consumers, despite their frequent inaccuracies. This popularity can be attributed to iPhones. 
• Speaker recognition, also known as voice biometrics, examines a speaker's speech patterns for the formation of specific shapes and sound qualities. A voice-protected device usually relies on standardized words to identify users, just like a password. 
• Eye scanners include technologies like iris recognition and retina scanners. Iris scanners project a bright light towards the eye and search for unique patterns in the colored ring around the pupil of the eye. The patterns are then compared to approved information stored in a database. Eye-based authentication may suffer inaccuracies if a person wears glasses or contact lenses. 

5. Token-based authentication 

Token-based authentication technologies enable users to enter their credentials once and receive a unique, encrypted string of random characters in exchange. You can then use the token to access protected systems instead of entering your credentials all over again. The digital token proves that you already have access permission. Token-based authentication is commonly used in RESTful APIs accessed by multiple frameworks and clients. 

Conclusion 

Authentication technology continues to evolve, and businesses must move beyond passwords to a comprehensive layered defense strategy that strengthens both security and user experience.  

Biometrics play a key role in this approach by reducing reliance on vulnerable credentials and eliminating the need for users to remember long or complex passwords. When combined with other controls such as document liveness detection, template attack detection, injection attack detection , and others, biometrics make it significantly harder for attackers to exploit stolen credentials and help reduce the likelihood of a data breach.