5 Best Authentication Services to Secure Users and Data

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December 2, 2023

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Enterprises can use an array of tools and methodologies like SOAR (Security Orchestration and Response) to protect their digital business. For the rest of us, smaller and online businesses 100% focused on getting things done, there are fast, yet powerful, tools. See “The Importance of Authorization in Modern Applications”) on how to protect sites, apps and users.  

Identify and Access Management in the App Age

With around 25% of users running the same passwords creating digital risk, a better solution is a priority for any business or service. Focusing on digital users, app developers are fed up with time-consuming ID/password pages, and consumers like them even less. 

Instead, authorization apps can speed the log-in process using single sign-on to get people logged in quickly, and the likes of multi-factor authentication when making transactions. 

Products like Nblocks and Auth0 cover provide secure access to apps, with easy cloud-based implementation to ensure your focus is on building the best apps and not worrying about the latest identity trends and complex management. 

There are many third-party authentication platforms to protect data and users from hackers. They provide authentication and authorization for web applications, and can handle features including:

  • Signup/logins/account resets 
  • Email verification processes
  • Using social media to log-in 
  • Single sign-on and multi-factor authentication
  • Role-based access control
  • Lock-out contractors and former workers 

Modern authorization tools are also smart and always up to date, mitigating new security risks and adding features to improve IT security. This makes them ideal for smaller businesses that lack in-house IT and security knowledge. 

For businesses, the benefits include:

  • Fighting fraud and defeating hackers
  • Creating a more positive customer experience
  • Simplifying online security 
  • Providing non-tech companies with security out of the gate

And with millions of automated hacking attacks taking place every day, even if your company doesn’t seem like a target, criminals are after any data or services they can get. 

Why is Third-Party User Authentication Important When Building Apps?

Most authorization platforms are delivered as a service with minimal need for customization or integration to protect web applications and services. They can be added to a back-end quickly, and rolled out to enable teams to get going on the building of apps, signing up users and revenue generation from customers. 

While you are putting your security in the hands of another service, the advantages of the knowledge and experience of leading authentication vendors outweigh that issue. And with the vast majority of businesses not needing customization or advanced features, they deliver great value. 

With many vendors on the market, we take a look at the best authentication software that can suit your business and app needs. 

1. Nblocks

Main Features: Nblocks is authentication for the blockchain generation with access to apps, games, smart contracts, and digital assets through the ledger-based security of blockchain. 

Deployment: Nblocks offers easy sign-in for decentralized B2B and B2C apps (DApps) using customer Google and Facebook accounts, eliminating the need for complex blockchain navigation. 

Through the sign-up page, creators get an API key, with quick access to authentication settings for apps and users to ensure users can get playing with your apps and not get stuck at sign-up screens. 

Product information: Nblocks is still in development, but will bring the latest and smartest features in authentication software to early adopters, with intuitive onboarding, user management, access control, billing and passkey and MFA access. 

Deployment: After a quick-and-easy free sign up, you can deploy Nblocks from a simple dashboard, creating all the settings you need within minutes.

2. Auth0

Main Features: Auth0 (now owned by Okta) is one of the most flexible authorization products. It works with any technology stack and is highly customizable for business users, especially those with large numbers of users. 

Product information: As a complete Swiss army knife for business, Auth0 provides single sign-on between multiple apps, easy rules creation for management, and a universal log-in approach. 

Deployment: Auth0 comes with a free plan for up to 7,500 users, plus a range of options from $35-$240 per month for most use cases. Operators can create and manage app authorizations from the dashboard and can be hosted on any technology stack.

3. Thales SafeNet

Main Features: Thales is a big player in the military and its IT solutions are typically up-armored offerings for serious business SafeNet Trusted Access provides SSO to cloud applications with a highly secure verified credential back-end. 

Product Information:  SafeNet provides centralized management across clouds with SSO. It uses adaptive access to make the most appropriate sign-on methods, with strong policy enforcement, and reporting for leaders/managers. 

Deployment: SafeNet can be deployed as an agent-based instance connecting to Active Directory and other services, importing current credentials for rapid deployment across multiple domains and clouds. SafeNet is available as a 30-day free trial, with license-based pricing on request. 

4. Prove

Main Features: Since 2011, Prove has focused on digital identity and protection. Today Prove Auth delivers passwordless automated authentication to businesses. It uses passive and active tools to  

Product Information: Prove provides Mobile Auth for passive mobile verification and Instant Link for SMS one-time verification and passwords, all while checking background signals for valid devices. 

Deployment: Prove Auth and its other services are available as APIs for flexible integration into existing stacks, in select countries including the US, UK, India and main European territories. 

5 Keycloak

Main Features: If you need an open-source approach to authentication, the Keycloak provides single sign-on and identity management through smart admin and account management consoles. 

Product information: Based around OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0, and SAML, Keycloak provides role-based and fine-grained authorization services for businesses, bringing social logins, and adapters to connect your services. 

Deployment: Keycloak is free to use. You can download the distributables for free with images for Docker, Podman, Kubernetes and OpenShift all ready to go. As such, it requires admin knowledge to install and use.

How to Choose an Authentication service for your app

From these options and the many other authentication tools on the market, there is one that meets your needs. From enterprise-heavy integration to nimble and go-now activation, you will find the one that suits your app’s business model and growth pattern.  

Most offer free demos to see if they fit your requirements, and in a buyers market several products should be priced suitably. 

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