BIO-key Blog

It’s finally Spring here in the Northeast, which means it’s time to get cleaning! Usually, we think of Spring cleaning as taking part in household chores, but there’s another place most IT professionals overlook that needs some attention; That’s right, your technology!

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Tags: 2FA, email, encryption, IT Security, MFA, Multi-Factor Authentication, multilayer authentication, On-premise, Password, password strength, Saas vs On-premise, account management, Active Directory, data security, OTP Authentication, password alternatives, password encryption, Password Management, password manager, password quality, Password Security, #phishing, secure authentication, transparent authentication, Two-Factor Authentication, web applications, secure login, Google Authenticator, OTP Methods, hackers, passphrase, secure passwords, breaches, IT Department, security risk, HOTP, Ransomware, unlocking accounts, ransomware attacks, IT Professionals, IT Management, maintain security privacy, secure integration, secure acounts, software, administrator, management solution, operating systems, malware, unauthorized applications, firmware, Admin Privileges, zombie accounts, multilayer encryption

Most of us use password-based authentication every day, a form of Single-Factor Authentication, which is the process of using personal credentials to securely access a system. Did you know that 54% of consumers use 5 or fewer passwords for every single one of their accounts? This means that if a hacker were to crack one of their passwords, chances are that they've also gained access to...

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Tags: 2FA, MFA, Multi-Factor Authentication, strong password, OTP, OTP Authentication, Password Security, Printed OTP, Single-Factor Authentication, Two-Factor Authentication, #twofactor, secure login, OTP Methods, stolen passwords, password policies, secure passwords, mobile authentication, password age, VoiceIt, Biometrics, changing your password often, mobile authenticator, information systems, maintain data privacy, SSO Process, voice biometrics, secure acounts, password-based authentication, compliances

Here at PortalGuard your security is our main concern. We are always trying new things to keep you secure, but also make your life a little bit easier. In v6.2 we have widened the range of applications you can gain access to through Single Sign-On (SSO). Open Authentication 2.0 (OAuth 2.0) adds yet another way you can safely gain access to applications. OpenID Connect v1.0 (OIDC v1.0) adds the...

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Tags: SAML Token, #securauth, SSO, usability, User Experience, Veracode, reCAPTCHA, SAML, secure authentication, Single Sign-On, Single Sign-On (SSO), #singlesign-on, Two-Factor Authentication, updates, #userauthentication, #userconvenience, #userexperience, web applications, SSO Proxy, IP blocking, Students, Single Sign-On Options, single logout, increase security, universal logout, SAML SLO, SAML Single Logout, security trends, secure login, upgrades, OTP Methods, empower users, sign on to web applications, password habits, IT Department, Standards, mobile authenticator, accessibility, OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, PortalGuard v6.2, Modern SSO Protocols, OIDC v1.0, OpenID Foundation, SSO Support Protocols, cyberwarfare, newest version, why upgrade, Ransomware, trending cybersecurity attacks, unlocking accounts, IP Lockout, Denial of Service, Account Lockout, account lockout protections, CAPTCHA, image-based captcha, ransomware attacks, essential cybersecurity, IT Management, web-based SSO, maintain security privacy, maintain data privacy, Employee

The advent of modern authentication security places a lot of pressure on the user to remain secure in a constantly changing environment.  Using a Mobile Authenticator is one of the most simple and accessible methods to remain secure without compromising usability.  We discuss what makes a good Mobile Authenticator in our recent White Paper - The Argument for a Better Authenticator. However,...

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Tags: 2FA, #2FASolutions, authentication security, #cybersecurity, MFA, mobile security, Multi-Factor Authentication, #2FA, Access Management, Active Directory, Cyber Security, OTP, OTP Authentication, Single Sign-On (SSO), SSPR, user convenience, Single Sign-On Options, flexibility, OTP Methods, mobile authentication, HOTP, cyber aware, mobile authenticator, accessibility, Simplicity

PortalGuard v6.1 adds multiple vendor integrations in addition to their already extensive list of one-time code options

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Tags: MFA, Multi-Factor Authentication, Tokenless Authentication, Cyber Security, OTP, OTP Authentication, Printed OTP, Two-Factor Authentication, User Authentication, #YubiKey, Google Authenticator, Duo Push Security, Duo, OTP Methods, National Cybersecurity Month, security key, smart card, FIDO, FIDO Alliance, out of band authentication, HOTP, google titan security key, PIV, CAC, Military, Federal Government, RSA SecureID, VoiceIt, Biometrics, Standards, vendor integrations, token authentication

Since 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) have officially recognized October as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM).  Pulled directly from the official StaySafeOnline website, NCSAM is “…a broad effort to help all Americans stay safer and more secure online.”  Here at PortalGuard, Security is something that we take very...

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Tags: Education, PortalGuard, security questions, #securityandusability, static password, strong password, technology, Tokenless Authentication, Turnkey Authentication, usability, User Experience, PortalGuard Configuration, PortalGuard for Education, service, Single-Factor Authentication, Single Sign-On (SSO), #singlesign-on, SSPR, Stand your Ground, stronger authentication, stronger security, #strongpassword, tech support, Two-Factor Authentication, User Authentication, user convenience, #userauthentication, #userexperience, Virtual Private Network, web applications, Password Reset from the Mac Desktop, reducing help desk calls, healthcare, SSO Proxy, password spraying, pwned passwords, Lanyard Login, Chrome Books, Special Education, Para Professionals, Students, Single Sign-On Options, increase security, SAML Single Logout, flexibility, security trends, secure login, Ask Christopher, technical support, geolocation, off network access, PortalGuard Authentication Provider, Google Authenticator, SMS Text Message Gateway, Duo Push Security, RSA SecurID, Duo, higher education budgeting, budget, fiscally sound decisions, classroom, OTP Methods, empower users, stolen passwords, hackers, scams, weak link, budgeting for education, university, college, community college, password policies, password length, passphrase, update your passwords, password patterns, password generator, password habits, secure passwords, challenge questions, IT Department Best Practices, impersonations, layer of security, breaches, IT Department, security risk, logging off, login session, outlook, mobile authentication, PortalGuard Security Policy, National Cybersecurity Month

Email scams are nothing new. We’ve all heard of someone’s grandmother sending money overseas to a grandchild in trouble, while the grandchild is in the next town over and clearly not in trouble. Or the Foreign Prince who has a confidential and top-secret request of wanting your money. Most of these scams have red flags such as misspellings, improper English, bad grammar, and usually end up...

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Tags: 2FA, authentication management, Authentication Security, #bestpractices, #cyberattacks, #cybersecurity, email, expiration, login security, Multi-Factor Authentication, Password, password strength, #passwordmanagement, security questions, #strongerauthentication, #breachnews, #ConsiderThis, data breach, #One-time password, password alternatives, password best practices, password complexity, Password Management, password manager, password quality, Password Security, stronger authentication, stronger security, #strongpassword, Two-Factor Authentication, #twofactor, #YubiKey, password spraying, increase security, security trends, PortalGuard Authentication Provider, Google Authenticator, SMS Text Message Gateway, Duo Push Security, OTP Methods, stolen passwords, hackers, scams, password policies, password length, CyberScout, passphrase, update your passwords, password patterns, password generator

It's not easy to find a solution that can resolve authentication and cybersecurity challenges for multiple institutions. In a market flooded with companies that promise to deliver a custom-tailored solution, one name should stand out: PortalGuard.

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Tags: Education, frustration, help desk calls, help desk support, HelpDesk, higher education, Increase ROI, login security, MFA, Multi-Factor Authentication, Password, #passwords, PortalGuard, #singlesignon, SSO, User Experience, User Interface, Password Management, password manager, password quality, Password Security, #passwordfatigue, Portal, PortalGuard for Education, PortalGuard#SSPR#, Self-Service Password Recovery, Self-Service Password Reset, selfservicepasswordreset, Single-Factor Authentication, Single Sign-On, Single Sign-On (SSO), #singlesign-on, SSPR, Stand your Ground, stronger authentication, #strongpassword, two-factor, Two-Factor Authentication, #twofactor, User Authentication, #userauthentication, #userconvenience, #userexperience, reducing help desk calls, Students, Single Sign-On Options, increase security, flexibility, security trends, secure login, PortalGuard Authentication Provider, Duo Push Security, higher education budgeting, budget, fiscally sound decisions, CHUGADUG, trade show appearences, OTP Methods, Portal Customization, empower users, hackers, scams, budgeting for education, university, college, community college, sign on to web applications

No one wants to be considered a weak link, even more so when it happens unknowingly. Everyone is staring at you, and you don’t know why. Well, not really, but imagine that’s what happens when you choose a low-quality password. You become your school's weak link. The difference is no one around you really knows it because it’s your secret and I.T. Administrators can’t identify you as a...

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Tags: 2FA, Authentication Security, authentication security, Banner, batch import, #cyberattacks, #cybersecurity, End user experience, higher education, password strength, strong password, #strongerauthentication, Access Control, Access Management, Active Directory, Authentication Provider, #breachnews, customer experience, Cyber Security, data breach, data security, Empower Up, #phishing, stronger authentication, stronger security, #strongpassword, Lanyard Login, teachers, Chrome Books, K-5, Special Education, Para Professionals, Students, Single Sign-On Options, increase security, security trends, secure login, PortalGuard Authentication Provider, Google Authenticator, classroom, OTP Methods, Portal Customization, empower users, stolen passwords, hackers, scams, weak link

As an IT professional working in higher education, you understand how critical and complex managing campus user identity issues are. As sensitive information begins to be stored both on your campus and in the cloud, you must provide a secure system for all of your stakeholders, including students, parents, faculty, staff, and administration. Relying on simply a name and password is no longer... Continue Reading →

Tags: help desk support, MFA, Multi-Factor Authentication, PortalGuard, security questions, SSO, strong password, technology, usability, #One-time password, OTP Authentication, Password Management, Password Synchronization, Self-Service Password Reset, SSO 101, SSPR, Stand your Ground, stronger authentication, #strongpassword, tech support, two-factor, Two-Factor Authentication, #twofactor, Custom Branding, SSO Proxy, single logout, universal logout, secure login, technical support, higher education budgeting, OTP Methods, Portal Customization