Secure Identities on Any Device, Anywhere: Introducing Duo Desktop Authentication
Available now in all paid Duo subscriptions
The launch of Duo Mobile in the early 2010s changed how businesses enabled secure authentication. Still, we have always known that there are industries and use cases that cannot rely on smartphones. Other means of authentication outside of smartphones — hardware tokens, phone call authentication, SMS, etc. — have proven to be either antiquated, expensive or vulnerable.
Enter Duo Desktop authentication, which allows users to authenticate from a single laptop or desktop seamlessly and securely when a smartphone, landline or hardware token authenticator is not available or allowed. This innovation addresses multiple scenarios and challenges, offering a seamless and secure authentication experience that is simple to deploy while minimizing stolen credential risk, streamlining user access and reducing IT spending. It is also available in every paid edition of Duo at no additional cost.
Secure identities on any device, anywhere
Reduce IT spend
Duo Desktop authentication’s most significant advantage is the removal of the need for a smartphone, telephony use or a token authenticator, depending on where you are in your journey. For many organizations, particularly those with strict compliance or regulatory requirements, using personal devices for work is not viable, and purchasing for every employee just to authenticate can be costly. Telephony, SMS, hardware tokens and security keys are either expensive, vulnerable or simply archaic to manage and use. Duo Desktop reduces the cost of organizations’ needing to purchase mobile devices, telephony credits, tokens, or security keys across use cases. Duo Desktop also reduces the administrative costs and complexities that physical device management requires.
Reduce credential risk
Duo Desktop's registration process mitigates the risk of bad actors trying to pass off their own devices as ones that have privileges to corporate resources by blocking devices presenting already registered device identifiers. Duo Desktop authentication can be paired with additional security measures including Duo’s Trusted Endpoints or device health policies with Duo Desktop, which help bolster the security of authenticating from the desktop.
This streamlined identity security approach ensures minimal disruption to operations while maximizing security and efficiency to help mitigate compromised credential attacks. It also enables administrators to implement Duo Desktop authentication quickly, empowering employees to authenticate securely without delays.
Reduce user friction
Duo Desktop authentication also serves as an efficiency driver for your organization. This can limit user friction by reducing time to log in by presenting authentication at the endpoint instead of an external authentication device like a mobile app, SMS code or token OTP. This flexibility is a plus for scenarios where traditional multi-factor authentication (MFA) methods — such as call centers, manufacturing sites and restricted areas — fall short. Duo Desktop authentication embodies the principle of securing identities on any device, from anywhere.
The solution for your use case
Duo Desktop’s authentication innovation similarly addresses multiple challenges, including compliance and regulatory drivers. In restricted environments like call centers, hospitals and manufacturing sites, employees often do not have access to personal devices while working. Duo Desktop simply allows employees to authenticate securely using their desktops, enhancing productivity and ensuring compliance with security protocols.
The need for smartphones, telephony for authentication or hardware tokens for MFA can be a significant cost burden. Duo Desktop eliminates costs associated with authentication expenses, offering a cost-effective alternative that does not sacrifice security. Organizations can also reduce IT spending by reducing or eliminating hardware tokens or security keys, which can be a logistical nightmare, especially in restricted sites with high security measures or in international territories with high shipping costs or logistical challenges. Duo Desktop authentication removes this complexity, providing a streamlined solution that reduces administrative overhead and enhances user experience.
Experience Duo Desktop authentication today
Duo Desktop authentication is a step forward in secure access, providing organizations with a secure authentication method for use cases that are typically challenging to deploy, maintain and support. By offering a solution that eliminates the need for smartphones, keys or tokens, Duo addresses the need of organizations across industries — needs like security, compliance, cost management and operational efficiency.
Duo Desktop authentication is available now in all paid Duo subscriptions. You can test by deploying the Duo Desktop app and enabling Duo Desktop authentication in your Duo Policy stack to your preferred applications and identities. Review more on how to use Duo Desktop Authentication on the Duo Docs page and reach out to your Duo contact to learn more today!