December 8, 2023
The landscape of cybersecurity and data protection is rapidly evolving, driven by increased cyber threats and a growing number of regulatory requirements to fight against them. In this context, the Fast Identity Online (FIDO) standards by FIDO Alliance have emerged as a vital tool in meeting various regulatory requirements from different parts of the world, particularly those on strong authentication.
To provide you with more information on this matter, this article examines how FIDO standards help in complying with major regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2).
Both the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) emphasize the rights of data subjects to access, rectify, erase, and port their data. A crucial aspect of delivering these rights securely is authenticating the identity of individuals requesting data access or modification. Failure to authenticate requests accurately can lead to violations of these regulations.
To specify, FIDO2 addresses this challenge effectively. It employs public key cryptography, where a pair of keys is generated, and the private one containing user credentials is stored locally on the user's device, ensuring that any biometric data, classified as sensitive personal data under GDPR, do not leave the device at any cost.
On the other hand, PSD2 aims to make payment services within the EU more secure and efficient. A key requirement of PSD2 is Strong Customer Authentication (SCA), necessitating the use of multiple authentication factors. FIDO2 devices, accredited by the European Banking Authority, meet PSD2's requirements. They utilize asymmetric cryptography to mitigate attacks on shared credentials like passwords and provide the "what you are" and "what you have" multi-authentication factors, which enhances user convenience while ensuring compliance.
ANote: Non-compliance with GDPR carries significant penalties, including fines up to 4% of annual global turnover or €20 million, whichever is higher, reinforcing the need for robust compliance mechanisms.
Beyond specific regulations, FIDO's approach to authentication offers a blueprint for how technology can aid in regulatory compliance. Its razer focus on user convenience, security, and privacy by design principles makes it an attractive option for organizations seeking to enhance their cybersecurity posture while adhering to complex regulatory frameworks.
In summary, FIDO standards represent a significant step forward in digital authentication, offering a secure, user-friendly, and regulatory-compliant solution. As cybersecurity threats evolve and regulations become more stringent, FIDO's role in ensuring compliance and enhancing digital security is likely to grow even more significant.
Don't let regulatory complexities and cybersecurity threats hold your business back. Contact us today to begin your journey with FIDO authentication. Embrace a solution that not only strengthens your security but also significantly improves your customer experience.
Receive consultation from HiTRUST today!