An Introduction to Duo Security

Duo Security is a trusted access security provider that protects organizations against breaches by verifying the identity of users and the health of their devices before granting them access to applications. Founded in 2009, Duo Security aims to make security simple and effective for organizations of all sizes.

How Does Duo Security Work?

Duo Security utilizes a zero trust framework and provides two-factor authentication to secure access. When a user attempts to log into an application protected by Duo, they will be prompted for their username and password as usual. After submitting valid credentials, the user will be prompted to verify their identity through a second factor such as approving a push notification on their smartphone, entering a passcode, or using biometrics.

This two-step verification process ensures that only authorized users with valid credentials and trusted devices can gain access to sensitive applications. Duo’s authentication methods allow organizations to balance security and convenience for end users.

Key Features and Benefits

Some of the key features and benefits of Duo Security include:

• Multifactor authentication – Offers push notifications, passcodes, U2F security keys, biometrics for flexible two-factor authentication.
• Device trust – Automatically evaluates trustworthiness of user devices before granting access.
• User and device insights – Provides visibility into users, devices, applications and authentication events.
• Secure single sign-on (SSO) – Allows users to securely log into all applications with one login.
• Cloud-based admin panel – Makes setup and configuration easy with no hardware required.
• APIs and integrations – Integrates with thousands of applications including cloud apps like Office 365.
• Scalable security – Suitable for organizations of all sizes and industry verticals.

By leveraging these capabilities, Duo enables organizations to implement adaptive authentication, automate access policies, gain visibility into users and devices, and simplify the login experience – all while protecting against breaches.

Use Cases

Duo Security is versatile and can be applied across many different use cases including:

• Remote workforce – Secure VPN and cloud application access for remote employees
• Cloud migrations – Add security as organizations migrate applications to the cloud
• Digital transformation – Modernize security as businesses adopt more digital technologies
• Third-party access – Securely allow third-parties like vendors and contractors to access resources
• Call centers – Protect customer data accessed by agents in call centers
• BYOD environments – Secure networks and tools accessed from unmanaged personal devices

Conclusion

Duo Security provides a flexible, user-friendly two-factor authentication and adaptive access platform to organizations across all industries. By verifying users and devices before granting access, Duo enables a zero trust security model that protects against breaches without compromising user experience. Overall, Duo is an essential security solution for securing access in the modern digital world.

Integrations and APIs for Broad Application

One of Duo’s biggest strengths is its wide range of integrations and APIs that allow it to secure access to a diverse array of applications and services. Duo integrates directly with over 3000 applications including popular tools like Office 365, Salesforce, Box and more. It also provides flexible APIs to protect custom applications.

This integration capacity allows Duo to work within an organization’s existing IT infrastructure to add security. With comprehensive support for SaaS, on-premises and custom applications, Duo can be leveraged to implement adaptive access and authentication across an organization’s entire application ecosystem.

Flexible Deployment Options

Duo can be deployed fully in the cloud or on-premises. The cloud-based option involves minimal infrastructure changes for rapid deployment. On-premises options allow larger organizations to keep all authentication traffic within their VPN for additional privacy and control.

Duo also offers hybrid deployment models to get the right balance of cloud convenience and on-premises control. Multiple deployment configurations provide flexibility for organizations with diverse security needs and IT requirements.

Robust Access Policies and Conditional Rules

Duo allows admins to define detailed access policies and rules to control authentication requirements. For example, rules can require stronger MFA factors for risky logins or set more stringent device trust requirements for access to sensitive data.

Contextual factors like user location, time of day, device type and app can also be incorporated into flexible and nuanced authentication rules. This allows security to adapt dynamically rather than take one-size-fits-all approach.

Security Integrations with Microsoft Azure and AWS

Duo integrates with leading cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to streamline cloud security. Duo can authenticate access to Azure AD apps and AWS WorkSpaces for example.

Joint solutions combine Duo’s authentication capabilities with cloud infrastructure security services like Azure AD Conditional Access policies. This showcases Duo’s ability to operate within diverse enterprise IT environments.