On the Internet, Nobody Knows You’re a Dog

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, ensuring that proper access is given for the right reasons at the right time for digital identities is no longer just an optional feature – it’s an indispensable component of securing modern applications. Moreover, as digital transformation accelerates, organizations must proactively protect their sensitive data and functions against persistent cybercriminals, hackers, and even insider threats.

To bring this critical topic to life, we invite you to join us on an engaging journey with ACME Software. This fictitious start-up grapples with the complexities of securing access to its business-critical data and functions. As ACME Software grows and expands, its workforce identities (corporate employees, contingent workers, and partners) and customer identities demand increasingly sophisticated authentication mechanisms to keep their information safe and sound.

Throughout this book, we will look at ACME Software while exploring its options and navigating the intricate world of modern authentication mechanisms. As we follow the start-up’s story, you will discover not only the essentials of multifactor authentication (MFA) but also its practical applications, benefits, and potential pitfalls. By delving into real-life examples and scenarios, we aim to make this subject more engaging, accessible, and relatable, transforming what might otherwise be a dry, technical topic into a captivating learning experience.

This book will cover the following themes:

• The importance of securing digital identities in today’s interconnected world
• An introduction to MFA, its principles, and its various forms
• A detailed examination of ACME Software’s authentication requirements and the challenges it faces as it grows
• A comprehensive exploration of various MFA solutions, as well as their strengths and weaknesses
• Real-world examples of implementing and managing MFA solutions at ACME Software, demonstrating how to optimize security while maintaining user convenience
• The future of authentication – emerging trends and technologies that will shape the next generation of identity and access management

As we follow ACME Software’s journey, we aim to equip you with the knowledge and understanding necessary to make informed decisions about MFA for your organization, empowering you to protect your valuable digital assets in a world of ever-increasing cyber threats.

In this chapter, we are going to cover the following topics:

• Identity and digital identity
• Additional authentication and security controls