---
title: How to Secure the Remote Workforce with Identity-as-a-Service
description: With the increase of the remote workforce, learn how you can use biometrics and Identity-as-a-Service to authenticate secure users and prevent cyberattacks.
---

[®](https://biokey.wpengine.com/)

- [Products](https://www.bio-key.com/#) 
    - [PortalGuard](https://www.bio-key.com/portalguard/) 
          - [Multi-Factor Authentication](https://www.bio-key.com/multi-factor-authentication/)
          - [Self-Service Password Reset](https://www.bio-key.com/self-service-password-reset/)
          - [Single Sign-On](https://www.bio-key.com/single-sign-on/)
          - [MobileAuth](https://info.bio-key.com/mobileauth)
          - [Admin Panel](https://www.bio-key.com/portalguard/admin-experience/)
          - [PortalGuard Desktop](https://www.bio-key.com/portalguard/portalguard-desktop/)
    - [Identity-Bound Biometrics](https://www.bio-key.com/identity-bound-biometrics/) 
          - [Passkey:YOU](https://www.bio-key.com/identity-bound-biometrics/passkey-authentication/)
          - [Passwordless with IBB](https://www.bio-key.com/business-initiatives/phone-less-token-less-passwordless/)
    - [Hardware](https://www.bio-key.com/hardware/) 
          - [Fingerprint Scanners](https://www.bio-key.com/fingerprint-scanners/)
          - [FIDO Security Keys](https://www.bio-key.com/hardware/fido-key-security-key/)
          - [POS Terminal](https://www.bio-key.com/hardware/mobilepos-pro/)
    - [Civil & Large-Scale Identification](https://www.bio-key.com/civil-large-scale-biometric-identification/)
    - [Platform Services](https://www.bio-key.com/platform-services/)
- [Solutions](https://www.bio-key.com/#) 
    - [Business Initiatives](https://www.bio-key.com/business-initiatives/)
    - [Securing Roving User Access](https://www.bio-key.com/roving-users/)
    - [Zero Trust](https://www.bio-key.com/zero-trust/)
    - [Passwordless](https://www.bio-key.com/move-to-passwordless-authentication/)
    - [Cyber Insurance](https://www.bio-key.com/multi-factor-authentication/multi-factor-authentication-a-requirement-for-cyber-insurance/)
    - [Education](https://www.bio-key.com/expertise-in-education/)
    - [Financial](https://www.bio-key.com/financial-services/)
    - [Government](https://www.bio-key.com/government-agencies/)
    - [Healthcare](https://www.bio-key.com/healthcare/)
    - [Manufacturing](https://www.bio-key.com/discrete-and-process-manufacturing/)
    - [Retail](https://www.bio-key.com/retail/)
    - [MSPs & MSSPs](https://www.bio-key.com/msps-and-mssps/)
- [Resources](https://www.bio-key.com/#) 
    - [Resource Center](https://www.bio-key.com/resources/)
    - [Blog](https://blog.bio-key.com)
    - [Case Studies](https://www.bio-key.com/resources/?type=case-studies)
    - [White Papers](https://www.bio-key.com/resources/?type=white-papers)
    - [Webinars](https://www.bio-key.com/resources/?type=webinars)
- [About](https://www.bio-key.com/#) 
    - [Company](https://www.bio-key.com/company/)
    - [Leadership](https://www.bio-key.com/leadership/)
    - [International](https://www.bio-key.com/international/)
    - [Investors](https://www.bio-key.com/investor-relations/)
    - [News & Press](https://www.bio-key.com/news-events/)
    - [Awards](https://www.bio-key.com/awards/)
    - [Events](https://www.bio-key.com/resources/?type=events)
- [Partners](https://www.bio-key.com/partners/) 
    - [Partner Portal](https://partner.bio-key.com/)
    - [Locate a Partner](https://www.bio-key.com/partners/locate-a-partner/)
    - [Amazon Partner Network](https://www.bio-key.com/amazon-partner-network/)
- [Contact](https://www.bio-key.com/contact-us/)
- [Free Trial](https://info.bio-key.com/pg-free-trial)
- [Support](https://www.bio-key.com/support/)

- [Products](https://www.bio-key.com/#) 
    - [PortalGuard](https://www.bio-key.com/portalguard/) 
          - [Multi-Factor Authentication](https://www.bio-key.com/multi-factor-authentication/)
          - [Self-Service Password Reset](https://www.bio-key.com/self-service-password-reset/)
          - [Single Sign-On](https://www.bio-key.com/single-sign-on/)
          - [MobileAuth](https://info.bio-key.com/mobileauth)
          - [Admin Panel](https://www.bio-key.com/portalguard/admin-experience/)
          - [PortalGuard Desktop](https://www.bio-key.com/portalguard/portalguard-desktop/)
    - [Identity-Bound Biometrics](https://www.bio-key.com/identity-bound-biometrics/) 
          - [Passkey:YOU](https://www.bio-key.com/identity-bound-biometrics/passkey-authentication/)
          - [Passwordless with IBB](https://www.bio-key.com/business-initiatives/phone-less-token-less-passwordless/)
    - [Hardware](https://www.bio-key.com/hardware/) 
          - [Fingerprint Scanners](https://www.bio-key.com/fingerprint-scanners/)
          - [FIDO Security Keys](https://www.bio-key.com/hardware/fido-key-security-key/)
          - [POS Terminal](https://www.bio-key.com/hardware/mobilepos-pro/)
    - [Civil & Large-Scale Identification](https://www.bio-key.com/civil-large-scale-biometric-identification/)
    - [Platform Services](https://www.bio-key.com/platform-services/)
- [Solutions](https://www.bio-key.com/#) 
    - [Business Initiatives](https://www.bio-key.com/business-initiatives/)
    - [Securing Roving User Access](https://www.bio-key.com/roving-users/)
    - [Zero Trust](https://www.bio-key.com/zero-trust/)
    - [Passwordless](https://www.bio-key.com/move-to-passwordless-authentication/)
    - [Cyber Insurance](https://www.bio-key.com/multi-factor-authentication/multi-factor-authentication-a-requirement-for-cyber-insurance/)
    - [Education](https://www.bio-key.com/expertise-in-education/)
    - [Financial](https://www.bio-key.com/financial-services/)
    - [Government](https://www.bio-key.com/government-agencies/)
    - [Healthcare](https://www.bio-key.com/healthcare/)
    - [Manufacturing](https://www.bio-key.com/discrete-and-process-manufacturing/)
    - [Retail](https://www.bio-key.com/retail/)
    - [MSPs & MSSPs](https://www.bio-key.com/msps-and-mssps/)
- [Resources](https://www.bio-key.com/#) 
    - [Resource Center](https://www.bio-key.com/resources/)
    - [Blog](https://blog.bio-key.com)
    - [Case Studies](https://www.bio-key.com/resources/?type=case-studies)
    - [White Papers](https://www.bio-key.com/resources/?type=white-papers)
    - [Webinars](https://www.bio-key.com/resources/?type=webinars)
- [About](https://www.bio-key.com/#) 
    - [Company](https://www.bio-key.com/company/)
    - [Leadership](https://www.bio-key.com/leadership/)
    - [International](https://www.bio-key.com/international/)
    - [Investors](https://www.bio-key.com/investor-relations/)
    - [News & Press](https://www.bio-key.com/news-events/)
    - [Awards](https://www.bio-key.com/awards/)
    - [Events](https://www.bio-key.com/resources/?type=events)
- [Partners](https://www.bio-key.com/partners/) 
    - [Partner Portal](https://partner.bio-key.com/)
    - [Locate a Partner](https://www.bio-key.com/partners/locate-a-partner/)
    - [Amazon Partner Network](https://www.bio-key.com/amazon-partner-network/)
- [Contact](https://www.bio-key.com/contact-us/)
- [Free Trial](https://info.bio-key.com/pg-free-trial)
- [Support](https://www.bio-key.com/support/)

#### BIO-key Blog

#### Read below for news, insights, and discussion on identity and access management.

- [Blog Home](https://blog.bio-key.com)
- How to Secure the Remote Workforce with Multi-factor Authentication

# How to Secure the Remote Workforce with Multi-factor Authentication

 March 18, 2021 [by BIO-key Team](https://blog.bio-key.com/author/bio-key-team)

[Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic throughout 2020](https://blog.bio-key.com/how-covid19-impacts-biokey-and-our-customers), many businesses were required to have their employees work from home, and even with the vaccine rollout and a small beam of normalcy, many will continue to work remotely. In a recent [Gartner CFO survey](https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2020-04-03-gartner-cfo-surey-reveals-74-percent-of-organizations-to-shift-some-employees-to-remote-work-permanently2) 74% of CFOs report that they plan to shift some employees to permanently work remotely.

Unfortunately, given a remote environment, security and accountability risks increase dramatically in the workforce. Remote workers are highly susceptible to [phishing attacks](https://blog.bio-key.com/ask-christopher-mitigating-risk-phishing-mfa) as they are more vulnerable to being tricked by an imposter email. Organizations who had to standup cloud-based services quickly to support remote access often thought about convenience first and security was an afterthought. While technology such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) continued to be difficult to secure and scale to support the entirety of the workforce. 

For the future and this secure remote workforce model, IT systems and security need to rely and equally operate on a hybrid level, working in an on-premise environment and a remote one. This is no different for the Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions the organizations leverages to secure access to their applications, data, and transactions. 

## What's the ideal IAM solution for remote access?

While on-premises IAM solutions can secure remote access, they to have challenges when it comes to being able to scale quickly and manage the hybrid environment of the business. The ideal solution is one that can handle hybrid environments. The ideal solution is an [Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS)](https://www.bio-key.com/portalguard/) solution that is flexible enough to support all access regardless of where it is coming from. 

Another key aspect is to be able to strengthen authentication for the remote workforce in a way that is manageable by the employee themselves, as well as secure enough to be able to positively identify the individual who is requesting access. With [multi-factor authentication (MFA)](https://www.bio-key.com/multi-factor-authentication/) it is critical to have a strategy and solution, again, that is flexible with multiple options the employee can leverage should one be unavailable, and include the most secure and convenient authentication method - biometrics. 

[Biometric authentication](https://www.bio-key.com/multi-factor-authentication/) is one of the only methods that positively identifies the individual and not a device or token. Again it is about offering up options for the user to select from, but biometrics is a critical part to any remote access MFA strategy. Biometrics can not only positively identify the individual, but is also impossible to share with someone else and dissuades phishing attacks. 

## Flexibility for a Hybrid Workforce

Adjusting to the remote workforce model requires a flexible Identity-as-a-Service solution that can address security and authentication challenges in a hybrid-work environment. For example any MFA strategy must offer the employee flexible options and include biometrics as a way of positively identifying the individuals gaining access to critical applications, data and transactions. 

---

## Sign-up for a FREE Trial of PortalGuard IDaaS & Biometric Authentication!

With your free trial you will be able to test out:

- Flexible Multi-factor Authentication options
- Biometric Authentication & a FREE fingerprint scanner
- Single Sign-on
- Self-Service Password Reset

[![Sign up for a free trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1897291/0f555178-d835-43d5-b19e-22bbc6225fab.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1897291/0f555178-d835-43d5-b19e-22bbc6225fab)

 

![BIO-key Team](https://blog.bio-key.com/hubfs/favicon.svg)

### Author: BIO-key Team

[← Previous Post](https://blog.bio-key.com/designing-and-implementing-a-secure-fully-brandable-web-portal)

[Next Post →](https://blog.bio-key.com/approaches-are-failing-3-ways-to-modernize-your-strategy)

### Subscribe to the BIO-key blog!

### Recent Posts

### PLEASE FOLLOW & LIKE US :)

<https://www.facebook.com/BIOkeyInternational> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/bio-key-international> <https://twitter.com/BIOkeyIntl>

[Contact Us](https://biokey.wpengine.com/#) [732.359.1100](https://biokey.wpengine.com/#) [info@bio-key.com](mailto:info@bio-key.com)

- [About](https://biokey.wpengine.com/#) 
    - [Company](https://biokey.wpengine.com/company/)
    - [Leadership](https://biokey.wpengine.com/leadership/)
    - [International](https://biokey.wpengine.com/international/)
    - [Investors](https://biokey.wpengine.com/investor-relations/)
    - [News & Press](https://biokey.wpengine.com/news-events/)
    - [Awards](https://www.bio-key.com/awards/)
    - [Events](https://biokey.wpengine.com/resources/?type=events)
    - [Careers](https://biokey.wpengine.com/careers/)
- [Products](https://biokey.wpengine.com/#) 
    - [PortalGuard®](https://biokey.wpengine.com/portalguard/)
    - [Admin Panel](https://www.bio-key.com/portalguard/admin-experience/)
    - [Hardware](https://www.bio-key.com/hardware/)
    - [Identity-Bound Biometrics](https://www.bio-key.com/identity-bound-biometrics/)
    - [MobileAuth](https://info.bio-key.com/mobileauth)
    - [Platform Services](https://biokey.wpengine.com/platform-services/)
- [Partners](https://biokey.wpengine.com/#) 
    - [Our Partners](https://biokey.wpengine.com/partners/)
    - [Partner Portal](https://partner.bio-key.com/)
    - [Amazon Partner Network](https://www.bio-key.com/amazon-partner-network/)
- [Solutions](https://biokey.wpengine.com/#) 
    - [Business Initiatives](https://biokey.wpengine.com/business-initiatives/)
    - [Securing Roving User Access](https://www.bio-key.com/roving-users/)
    - [Zero Trust](https://www.bio-key.com/zero-trust/)
    - [Passwordless Authentication](https://www.bio-key.com/move-to-passwordless-authentication/)
    - [Cyber Insurance](https://www.bio-key.com/multi-factor-authentication/multi-factor-authentication-a-requirement-for-cyber-insurance/)
    - [Education](https://biokey.wpengine.com/expertise-in-education/)
    - [Financial](https://biokey.wpengine.com/financial-services/)
    - [Government](https://biokey.wpengine.com/government-agencies/)
    - [Healthcare](https://biokey.wpengine.com/healthcare/)
    - [Manufacturing](https://biokey.wpengine.com/discrete-and-process-manufacturing/)
    - [Retail](https://biokey.wpengine.com/retail/)
    - [MSPs & MSSPs](https://www.bio-key.com/msps-and-mssps/)
- [Resources](https://biokey.wpengine.com/#) 
    - [Resource Center](https://biokey.wpengine.com/resources/)
    - [Sustainability](https://biokey.wpengine.com/sustainability/)
    - [Policies & Legal](https://biokey.wpengine.com/polices-and-legal/)
    - [Patents](https://biokey.wpengine.com/patents/)

[![BIO-key International new](https://blog.bio-key.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/BioKeyWpengine_Oct2020/images/logo-white.svg "BIO-key International new")](https://biokey.wpengine.com/)

© 2026 BIO-key International®. All rights reserved. Privacy policy.