Outsmart impersonators with Identity verification built into the Okta Platform

Think MFA alone is enough to stop an imposter? Think again.

In a world of deepfakes, synthetic identities, and hybrid workforces, attackers are bypassing the very tools designed to keep them out. Today’s attackers aren’t just stealing passwords — they’re impersonating legitimate users to bypass authentication controls, and they’re getting good at it.

The trust gap at the center of modern security

Let’s face it: Credentials aren’t enough anymore. And traditional MFA, while essential, doesn’t always stop someone who shouldn’t have access in the first place.

Think of it like this:

• Credentials ask you to prove you know something (e.g., a password).
• MFA asks you to prove you have something (e.g., a trusted device).
• Identity verification asks you to prove you’re actually you.

For many organizations, the last step is where Identity security strategies still fall short — establishing who’s really behind the login.

The most vulnerable moments in the Identity lifecycle aren’t just at the point of authentication, but also occur throughout the user journey, including:

• When a new hire is first onboarded
• When a user enrolls or removes an authentication factor
• When a user resets their password

These are key moments where attackers can impersonate someone else, especially in the event that the user’s credentials are compromised. As deepfake technology, GenAI, and social engineering get even more convincing by the day, verifying who’s behind the keyboard isn’t just a compliance checkbox — it’s critical for defending against advanced Identity threats and serves as a foundational element of a robust Identity security fabric.

What does this look like in the real world?

Imagine this: You’ve hired a remote engineer. They pass a background check and sign their offer. You then ship them a company laptop. They register their account, set up their MFA methods, and they’re in.

But what if that wasn’t really them?

This isn’t a hypothetical. In a real-world incident, a U.S. company unknowingly hired a North Korean hacker who posed as a remote software engineer. The attacker used a stolen, legitimate identity — complete with AI-enhanced photos and forged documentation—to bypass background checks and appear credible throughout the hiring process. The deception was only uncovered when the company-issued MacBook began installing malware as soon as it was powered on. 

Although a rapid response involving the FBI and Mandiant was able to contain the threat before any further damage was done, this serves as a cautionary tale for all organizations with remote workers. Without strong Identity verification as part of a multi-layered defense strategy, you are one login away from letting the wrong person in.

Close the trust and security gap with seamless Identity verification flows

Integrating Identity verification into existing processes is often complex and time-consuming, requiring extra configuration and custom logic to fully integrate with existing access policies. At the same time, it’s critical to maintain a seamless experience for the end user.

Okta’s new out-of-the-box integrations for Identity verification make it easier than ever before. You can now trigger real-time, user-friendly Identity checks within access policies during critical points of the user lifecycle — no code, no complexity, no problem.

Whether an employee is logging in for the first time or resetting their password, Okta helps you:

• Confirm users are legitimate via document verification and liveness detection
• Match verified attributes with user profiles in your user directory
• Configure access flows through simple policy settings — no dev work required

In close collaboration with industry-leading providers like Persona, CLEAR, and Incode, Okta delivers enterprise-grade Identity verification with minimal setup — plus full flexibility to choose the vendor that fits your needs.

Plus, these integrations help our customers meet rigorous NIST security certifications like Identity Assurance Level (IAL2) and Authenticator Assurance Level (AAL2). 

Get started today

Okta’s out-of-the-box integrations for Identity verification are now available for customers using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Adaptive MFA. Integrations with Persona, CLEAR, and Incode are already live, with more coming soon. Want to see it in action? Watch the on-demand demo or connect with an Okta expert to learn how to unlock Identity verification flows in Okta today.