Modern hybrid networks comprise a mix of both managed and unmanaged devices. With static one-time authentication being inadequate, users and devices are only authenticated at the start of a session, with no follow-up checks. The lack of ongoing validation makes it challenging to secure a cloud-first infrastructure. Moving to continuous authentication ensures that a user or device is monitored throughout the session, rather than relying on a one-time authentication at the beginning.
Is Static Trust Enough To Secure A Network?
In a static trust model, a trusted user or a device is authenticated once, typically at the beginning of a session. Despite changes in security posture, they continue to access the network, data, and applications. If a managed device on the network is not monitored for compliance, it puts other devices at risk since the threats on that uncompliant device can spread to others on the network.
Static trust without continuous monitoring of users and devices throughout a session also introduces risks such as:
Layer 2 Attacks on the Network
A hacker can attack your network through techniques such as MAC spoofing and Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) spoofing. A hacker can alter the MAC address of any device that uses the MAC authentication bypass mechanism, or imitate a host and pose as a man-in-the-middle to attack a network.
Once inside, an attacker can exploit the network perimeter and compromise the entire system. Without proper device management, monitoring who accesses the network and what they access would be impossible, increasing the risk of data exposure and theft.
Difficult to Implement Policy-Based Access
When organizations adopt a one-time trust, policy-based access becomes ineffective, as it is always challenging to track unauthorized users and uncompliant devices.
A remote device with a digital certificate and specific network access is segregated into a VLAN with access to particular applications. It has only a VPN credential and no additional validation, like an MFA or regular compliance checks. With static one-time trust, tracking non-compliance, such as failing to update the OS or a password, bypassing authentication requirements, or using unauthorized applications, can risk the entire network.
Poor Incident Response and Trust Revocation
With a static trust model, incident response is slower. A trusted device continues to access a network, and an alert from the Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system in the event of a threat would only alert the administrator. Manual intervention is required to revoke device access, which takes time instead of immediately revoking access rights.
Organizations must transition to real-time, context-based authentication that leverages identities for continuous trust, resulting in a more robust and secure network.
What Is Continuous Authentication?
Continuous authentication verifies users and devices, evaluating factors instead of assuming a user remains trustworthy after initial access. These factors include device health, user behavior, location, and identity signals. This is important in dynamic environments, where users may change networks, devices, or behavior patterns during a single session. Some real-world Examples For Continuous Authentication are:
Secure A Wi-Fi and VPN Network With Digital Certificates
Organizations use digital certificates to authenticate users and devices in a Wi-FI and VPN network. After initial authentication, the system continuously monitors device posture via MDM and user role via IdP. Access is revoked in real time if a device becomes non-compliant or a user’s role changes (e.g., terminated employee).
Assess and Monitor User Behavior in a Risk Environment
Organizations that handle sensitive data, such as banks, enforce continuous user validation during high-risk transactions or access to critical applications. With continuous authentication mechanisms in place, when a security system flags suspicious behavior in a user, their access can be revoked in real-time.
Implement Context-based Access Trust In A Network
An enterprise uses dynamic access policies based on user identity and device trust, segregating them into separate VLANs. Session context is constantly evaluated. In the event of anomalous behaviors, such as location mismatches or privilege escalations, access to specific network segments is blocked instantly, even during an active session.
Here are some notable differences between Static and Continuous Authentication.
| Features | Static Authentication | Continuous Authentication |
| Authentication | Static, one-time authentication at the start. | Ongoing validation throughout the session. |
| Risk evaluation | No changes during a mid-session risk | Ongoing evaluation restricts access to changes in risk. |
| Device Trust | Minimal to no device trust. | Integrates with IdPs and Managed Device Directory (MDM) systems for ongoing device trust. |
| Resistance to Attacks | More vulnerable to session hijacking, phishing, and stale sessions | Stronger defense by reacting to changes in posture or behavior |
| Policy Enforcement | Policies are enforced one-time | Dynamic policies are enforced in real-time through access-based decisions tied to the certificates and integrated with an MDM or IdP. |
How Does a PKI Help You Achieve Continuous Authentication
X.509 digital certificates, issued through a PKI, provide secure authentication using asymmetric cryptography and establish a verifiable chain of trust through trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs). On their own, PKIs are traditionally static – verifying identities only at the time of certificate issuance – but the right PKI can integrate with your wider environment for continuous authentication.
Organizations can use a PKI and integrate with Mobile Device Management (MDM) and existing identity providers (Idp) to enable continuous authentication.
- Integration with Mobile Device Management (MDM) platforms and Identity Providers (IdPs) to enable real-time identity and device-based access control. MDMs ensure that only compliant, enrolled, and trusted devices receive certificates, while IdPs validate user attributes such as role, group membership, and department.
- Organizations gain granular visibility into network activity by feeding PKI, authentication, and device compliance data into a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system. The SIEM continuously analyzes logs for anomalies such as suspicious behavior, access attempts from untrusted locations, or compromised device posture.
Implement SecureW2’s Dynamic PKI With Cloud RADIUS For Continuous Trust-Based Access
While traditional PKIs support policy-based access, they rely on static, one-time certificate authentication. This means any change in user status, device posture, or access policy often goes undetected during a session.
SecureW2’s Cloud RADIUS and Dynamic PKI enhance this model by continuously evaluating trust from IdPs, MDMs, and SIEMs at each policy enforcement point. Instead of static credentials, access is enforced through identity-bound certificates that are continually validated and verified. Certificate access can be automatically revoked if a device becomes non-compliant or an identity is flagged, enabling dynamic, real-time enforcement without manual intervention.
Discover how to enforce continuous trust-based authentication for your network today.
Anusha Harish