Atlassian Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Published: October 5, 2020
Last Updated: March 7, 2023
Last Updated: March 7, 2023
Support Team Lead at Alpha Serve
Author: Liubov Topchyi
Atlassian creates software development, project, and content management tools. The company's mission is to develop integrated product sets.
Open-work promotion is its central value. Many massive companies enjoy the vast array of products to advance cooperative work.
However, the advent of collaborative online environments raises some security issues. Two-factor authentication is one of the ways to address them and ensure secure efficiency.
Let's take a look at the reasons for introducing 2FA to your Atlassian-driven workplace.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this blog post:
Table of Contents:
It is a table of contents. Click on the needed subheading and switch between parts of the article.
Atlassian In A Nutshell
The company launched in 2002. Today, it has offices worldwide and over 150 thousand customers using its products for numerous projects.
The most broadly applied products by this company include subsets of Jira, Bitbucket, Confluence, and Trello. Apart from the collaboration and tracking software, the company offers power-ups, cloud storage, and all other tools necessary for wholesome management.
With the number of available solutions and their capacities, it's no wonder most companies conduct at least a part of their workflow with the help of Atlassian products.
The most broadly applied products by this company include subsets of Jira, Bitbucket, Confluence, and Trello. Apart from the collaboration and tracking software, the company offers power-ups, cloud storage, and all other tools necessary for wholesome management.
With the number of available solutions and their capacities, it's no wonder most companies conduct at least a part of their workflow with the help of Atlassian products.
Protective Role Of The Employer
Collaboration platforms can massively improve communication and make projects more manageable. They also cause many new vulnerabilities for companies, though.
Most notably, such platforms allow for informal communication, which can get leaked. A 2019 study by Symphony Research showed that most studied employees feel comfortable sharing confidential and personal information through the collaboration tool chat.
Many employees also consciously connect to unsecured networks. They use personal computers and phones to conduct work, and send emails from personal accounts, too.
Moreover, Accenture's global survey shows that security breaches have increased by 67% since 2015. So, employers have to secure their online workplace or suffer information leakages and hacking.
Most notably, such platforms allow for informal communication, which can get leaked. A 2019 study by Symphony Research showed that most studied employees feel comfortable sharing confidential and personal information through the collaboration tool chat.
Many employees also consciously connect to unsecured networks. They use personal computers and phones to conduct work, and send emails from personal accounts, too.
Moreover, Accenture's global survey shows that security breaches have increased by 67% since 2015. So, employers have to secure their online workplace or suffer information leakages and hacking.
Vulnerabilities Of Atlassian Products
Due to rising security threats, Atlassian introduced higher-level security advisories on its most popular products. The process uncovered vulnerabilities never before addressed with these broadly used services.
The most significant issues discovered concerned Bitbucket and Jira products. Severe dangers include cross-site scripting, information leakages, and cross-site request forgery.
Atlassian is a historically safe company. However, these advisories show how much more difficult it's becoming to protect businesses.
Some ways to do so include employee education, introducing threat experts to the premises, and partnering with high-level security providers.
There is another, much simpler way to protect your company - 2-factor authentication. Note that it won't help with sophisticated cyberattacks and employees' risky activities.
Still, it can ensure that only authorized people are entering the network in the first place. It can't be the sole thing you do for protection, but you shouldn't overlook it.
The most significant issues discovered concerned Bitbucket and Jira products. Severe dangers include cross-site scripting, information leakages, and cross-site request forgery.
Atlassian is a historically safe company. However, these advisories show how much more difficult it's becoming to protect businesses.
Some ways to do so include employee education, introducing threat experts to the premises, and partnering with high-level security providers.
There is another, much simpler way to protect your company - 2-factor authentication. Note that it won't help with sophisticated cyberattacks and employees' risky activities.
Still, it can ensure that only authorized people are entering the network in the first place. It can't be the sole thing you do for protection, but you shouldn't overlook it.
2FA Explained
Two-factor authentication is a straightforward process. It combines user credentials with another element that a hacker shouldn't be able to access.
An employee puts in their username and password first. Then, they provide an extra element, from a physical security key to a fingerprint, to confirm their identity.
Adding the knowledge factor can deter hackers and prevent credential-stuffing attacks. An increasing number of online businesses, especially those dealing with finance, are implementing this process to protect users and prevent such breaches.
An employee puts in their username and password first. Then, they provide an extra element, from a physical security key to a fingerprint, to confirm their identity.
Adding the knowledge factor can deter hackers and prevent credential-stuffing attacks. An increasing number of online businesses, especially those dealing with finance, are implementing this process to protect users and prevent such breaches.
Pros & Cons of Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
2FA is one of the most widely-used systems for blocking unauthorized access across the internet. However, no solution is ideal for all circumstances. Let's take a look at the upsides and downsides of using it with your Atlassian products.
Pros:
Cons:
Pros:
- Sensitive information protection: As discussed, the easiest way for confidential information to leak is through careless employees' chats.
- More effective network security: It's much more challenging for hackers to enter a network that requires more information.
- No device loss issues: If an employee loses a device, no random person will be able to log into their business profiles without extra information.
Cons:
- Increased login time: While the time loss isn't significant, it could be a nuisance for some companies.
- Integration issues: 2FA relies on third-party products and services, which requires additional attention to counterparties’ reliability.
- Inconsistencies: If you run a big organization, it can be time-consuming to implement it across all the departments.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Solutions
There are various ways to go about the second authentication factor. Let's explain the four most widely used ones.
A Physical Key
This method is the most fool-proof, as proven by Google when it recently introduced it. Physical keys are USB sticks which you insert in your PC during the login stage.
It's easy to use and reliable. The only downsides are the procurement of physical keys and the possibility of employees losing them.
Biometric Authentication
Biometric keys can be anything from a fingerprint to an iris scan. While it's close to full-proof, this approach is less common because it requires specialized hardware and software. It's also somewhat prone to spoofing through cloned fingerprints.
An App Code
In this case, you'll have to install a smartphone app that confirms your identity. There are many to choose from, most notably Duo and Authy. The system sends a code over an HTTPS connection, which makes it challenging for hackers to steal the code. It can be problematic if you have malware on your phone, though.
A Text Message Code
Although the least secure method, this 2FA is the most popular for a reason. Once you log in, the system will send a code to your phone number, which is already in the system.
SMS messages don't have encryption, though, making it easy for hackers to access the information. Plus, it represents an issue if an employee loses their phone.
This method is the most fool-proof, as proven by Google when it recently introduced it. Physical keys are USB sticks which you insert in your PC during the login stage.
It's easy to use and reliable. The only downsides are the procurement of physical keys and the possibility of employees losing them.
Biometric Authentication
Biometric keys can be anything from a fingerprint to an iris scan. While it's close to full-proof, this approach is less common because it requires specialized hardware and software. It's also somewhat prone to spoofing through cloned fingerprints.
An App Code
In this case, you'll have to install a smartphone app that confirms your identity. There are many to choose from, most notably Duo and Authy. The system sends a code over an HTTPS connection, which makes it challenging for hackers to steal the code. It can be problematic if you have malware on your phone, though.
A Text Message Code
Although the least secure method, this 2FA is the most popular for a reason. Once you log in, the system will send a code to your phone number, which is already in the system.
SMS messages don't have encryption, though, making it easy for hackers to access the information. Plus, it represents an issue if an employee loses their phone.
2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) Plugins for Atlassian Products
If your company is on the long list of Atlassian product users, you’ll want to consider getting a 2FA app solution to keep it safe. Alpha Serve offers the Atlassian community a range of highly-rated 2FA applications providing top-level security:
These applications render their services on a straightforward user interface and offer flexibility to the user in choosing the appropriate second factor for authentication.
You’ll find time-based one-time password algorithms that work with authentication apps. If you’re going for the physical key, there’s U2F support included. Plus, you get many customization and privacy options to maximize efficiency.
All apps are enterprise-grade and their scalability and performance have been confirmed.
You’ll find time-based one-time password algorithms that work with authentication apps. If you’re going for the physical key, there’s U2F support included. Plus, you get many customization and privacy options to maximize efficiency.
All apps are enterprise-grade and their scalability and performance have been confirmed.
Passwordless Authentication Plugins for Atlassian Products
In case you’re looking for a passwordless solution, the following applications can be of great use for you:
All of them allow you to use security hardware keys or built-in biometrics to login into your Atlassian tools.
WebAuthn makes passwordless authentication possible between servers, browsers, and authenticators. WebAuthn can be enjoyed on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
If you still have doubts about the security of passwordless authentication,
check this article.
WebAuthn makes passwordless authentication possible between servers, browsers, and authenticators. WebAuthn can be enjoyed on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
If you still have doubts about the security of passwordless authentication,
check this article.
Conclusion
With the advent of technology, its malicious uses are more prominent than ever before. Time and time again, username and password alone have proven themselves inadequate for protecting confidential information.
You can take advantage of the positive sides of technology for your work environment while avoiding most of the negatives, though. All it takes are well-thought-out, careful decisions. Two-factor authentication is an excellent place to begin.
You can take advantage of the positive sides of technology for your work environment while avoiding most of the negatives, though. All it takes are well-thought-out, careful decisions. Two-factor authentication is an excellent place to begin.
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