TREND
1
Identity Sprawl =
Attack Surface Expansion
SaaS adoption, hybrid cloud, and remote
work have created fragmented identity
landscapes.
CISOs are struggling to manage access across:
• Disconnected directories
• Shadow IT environments
• Orphaned accounts and stale privileges
Authentication strategy must now include
centralized policy enforcement, dynamic
identity correlation, and rapid revocation
capabilities to mitigate this sprawl and support effective access control.
TREND
5
Breaking Silos—
Unified Authentication Strategy
Traditionally, organizations have deployed
authentication in silos—one strategy for
employees, another for customers, and yet
another for third parties. But fragmentation
leads to gaps, redundancy, and inefficiencies.
A growing number of security leaders are
adopting unified authentication strategies that
span the full user ecosystem. These strategies
adjust assurance levels by risk and role but
operate under a centralized access management
policy framework. The result: stronger governance,
better visibility, and more streamlined operations.
TREND
2
Passwordless is
Picking Up Speed
The passwordless future is here—driven by usability,
phishing resistance, and regulatory mandates.
What's changing:
• Passkeys and FID02 are replacing traditional
credentials
• MFA fatigue attacks are prompting re-evaluation
of current methods
Authentication models are evolving toward
biometric and hardware-backed solutions, balancing
seamless access with zero-trust enforcement.
Synced passkeys offer convenience, while device-
bound passkeys are becoming essential in regulated
environments like finance and healthcare for
stronger assurance. The adoption of phishing-resistant login methods is accelerating.
TREND
3
Authentication as a Risk
Signal, Not Just a Gate
Security leaders are shifting from
"who's in" to "should they be in?"
Authentication is evolving into an
adaptive risk engine—leveraging
behavioral analytics and context for
access decisions.
Contextual authentication—based on
user behavior, device posture, and
location data—is becoming essential
for detecting anomalies and
preventing privilege misuse. Risk-
adjusted, policy-based models are now
foundational.
TREND
4
Compliance-Driven
Authentication Modernization
From GDPR to HIPAA and NIS2,
access controls are under the
microscope. Regulatory bodies now
expect authentication maturity—not
just checkbox compliance.
Auditable, policy-driven
authentication with fine-grained
controls is becoming a board-level
priority for reducing risk and
demonstrating due diligence. Many
leaders are pairing passwordless
methods with stronger identity
proofing and lifecycle management
to meet the bar. Many leaders are
pairing passwordless authentication
methods with stronger identity proofing
and lifecycle management to meet the
bar for authentication compliance.
PUTTING IT
ALL TOGETHER
Authentication in Practice
The diagram below—courtesy of our friends at Thales—offers a helpful
framework for selecting the appropriate level of assurance for internal and
external users based on risk, user type, and context. It's a practical guide
for matching authentication strength to real-world access scenarios.
For a deeper technical dive into authentication methods and how to implement passwordless approaches that balance security with usability, explore the Passwordless 360 eBook by Thales.
This piece is intended to help executive security leaders better understand the shifts happening in authentication— and offer their technical teams a more detailed resource for action planning.
How Pillar Can Help
Every organization's authentication journey is different—shaped by its risk profile, user base, industry, and operational model. At Pillar, we bring clarity to complexity. We partner with security leaders to evaluate the right authentication strategies, help identify and procure tools that align with your environment, and support seamless implementation that minimizes disruption and maximizes protection.
Whether you're exploring passwordless for the first time or looking to unify fragmented access systems, we can help you move forward with confidence. Let's make authentication work for your business — securely, strategically, and sustainably.
For more information and contact information,
please visit www.ptechcyber.com
AUTHENTICATION
TRENDS 2025
WHAT SECURITY LEADERS NEED TO KNOW
Insights on the latest advancements in authentication and
how to leverage them using Pillar's data-centric approach
Identity Is the New Perimeter—
and It's Under Siege
As perimeter-based defenses fade, Authentication has become the
linchpin of modern security. Threat actors aren't breaching firewalls—
they're hijacking credentials. This shift places authentication at the
center of risk, visibility, and control strategies for 2025. These authentication trends 2025 reflect a reality where CISO authentication strategy must evolve alongside the broader threat landscape.