Microsoft Entra ID Gets New HID Integration to Simplify Passwordless Authentication with Physical Access Cards

The new HID integration with Microsoft Entra ID enables enterprises to use physical access cards for multifactor authentication.

Published: Oct 16, 2024

Security

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Key Takeaways:

  • HID’s new integration with Microsoft Entra ID allows organizations to use physical access cards as a multifactor authentication (MFA) method.
  • This new HID solution simplifies the deployment of passwordless authentication.
  • It helps organizations strengthen protection against phishing attacks.

Identity solution provider HID has announced a new integration with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory). This new offering allows organizations to use their physical access cards as an additional multifactor authentication (MFA) method to access Entra ID as well as Microsoft 365 apps and services.

Microsoft’s research has found that implementing multifactor authentication helps organizations reduce the risk of security breaches by more than 99.2 percent. MFA strengthens security by adding an extra layer of protection, making it much harder for hackers to compromise user accounts.

The new HID integration streamlines the transition to passwordless authentication by simplifying MFA deployment in enterprise environments. It allows organizations to customize their MFA solutions while enhancing protection against phishing attacks.

“Deploying MFA is one of the most important steps to securing user identities, and the purpose of Microsoft Entra ID External Authentication Method (EAM) is to extend the purpose of Entra ID’s functionality by enabling organizations to use the third-party MFA solution of their choosing to establish quick, simple, and secure MFA,” said Eleanor Falla, Senior Product Manager for Microsoft Security. “HID’s integration offers flexibility through its many authenticator choices and offers the convenience of choosing from existing physical cards to access both facilities and digital resources as an MFA factor.”

What are the benefits of HID’s integration with Microsoft Entra ID?

This new HID integration promises greater flexibility, convenience, and security for Entra ID customers. It supports a range of authentication methods and physical authenticators. These include hardware OTP tokens, security keys, smart cards with FIDO technology, physical access cards, and PKI/CBA (Public Key Infrastructure/Certificate-Based Authentication).

Last but not least, the multifactor authentication feature typically requires users to have a smartphone to receive codes or approve login attempts. However, this new HID solution eliminates the need for employees to rely on company or personal phones for authentication purposes.

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