Push Notifications
What are Push Notifications in IAM?
Push notifications are a powerful tool in identity and access management (IAM) and cybersecurity, enhancing security by providing real-time, user-specific alerts and requests for authentication or access approval. They are especially valuable in adding an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorised access and respond quickly to potential threats. In a landscape where password-only security measures have significant limitations, push notifications enable companies to implement two-factor or multi-factor authentication (2FA/MFA) more effectively. Instead of entering a one-time passcode, which can be inconvenient or insecure, users receive a notification on their device to approve or deny access requests, streamlining the process and offering both a stronger defence against attacks and a better user experience.
Push notifications are also essential for risk-based authentication, where systems assess contextual information like unusual login locations, IP addresses, or devices. If a login attempt seems suspicious, users can receive a push notification to confirm their identity, adding an adaptive layer of security without creating undue friction for regular access. These notifications empower users to act as the final checkpoint in the authentication process, swiftly blocking unauthorised attempts and protecting sensitive systems from potential compromise.
Another important use case for push notifications in cybersecurity is account activity and security alerts. Real-time notifications alert users to events such as password changes, logins from new locations, or access to restricted resources. These notifications enable users to stay vigilant and spot any unauthorised actions immediately, helping them secure their accounts without delay. Additionally, in the event of a broader security incident, like a data breach or vulnerability, push notifications are invaluable for incident response, alerting users to take action, such as changing passwords or verifying recent account activity, before further damage can occur.
Push notifications also streamline access request approvals for admins and privileged users, even when they’re away from their desks. Admins receive instant notifications for approval requests, enabling them to authorise or deny access from their mobile devices, which is critical in environments where swift access is needed to avoid workflow delays. This approval mechanism is particularly useful in preventing unauthorised privilege escalation, where unauthorised users might attempt to gain higher levels of access within a system.
However push notifications are not all good news since users can experience fatigue with the volume of push notifications being requested. This can lead to users habitually pressing "OK" to confirm that a push notification request has been authorised, even in the circumstances where the request has been triggered by a malicious actor!!
For IAM tools that maintain detailed authentication logs, push notifications serve as one potential real-time layer of transparency. As actions and requests are logged and shared instantly with users or administrators, push notifications provide an easy way to verify activity for compliance purposes. Despite the user fatigue, this real-time oversight of actions adds another layer of defence, making it much harder for any malicious actor to operate unnoticed.
