Risk-Based Access (RBA)

Risk-based access (RBA) is an access control approach that evaluates contextual risk signals at the time of authentication to determine how, or whether, access should be granted. Rather than treating every login attempt the same, risk-based access weighs factors such as user behavior, device posture, location, and historical patterns to distinguish legitimate users from anomalous or potentially malicious activity. This model supports zero-trust access by assuming no request is inherently trustworthy and continuously validating access decisions through adaptive access controls. When implemented effectively, RBA strengthens security while preserving usability by allowing low-risk interactions to proceed with minimal interruption and escalating protections only when risk increases.

At the core of risk-based access is the ability to make consistent, real-time decisions that balance secure authentication with the need to reduce friction for legitimate authentication attempts. Risk engines evaluate authentication events and return an outcome that may allow access, require additional verification, or deny the request entirely. This approach helps organizations protect sensitive systems without relying on static rules that can frustrate legitimate users or leave gaps that attackers can exploit. By aligning authentication requirements with assessed risk, RBA improves overall security posture while maintaining operational efficiency.

Within modern identity architectures, centralized infrastructure is essential to delivering risk-based access at scale. A shared risk engine combined with tenant entitlement ensures that authentication decisions are applied consistently across environments and user populations. ICP proxy services play a critical role by allowing integrated products to send authentication events and request risk evaluations through a single interface, rather than maintaining separate implementations. These proxy services enable products to determine whether authentication should proceed normally, invoke multifactor authentication (MFA), or be blocked altogether, reinforcing zero-trust access principles across the ecosystem.

Imprivata delivers this capability through Enterprise Access Management (EAM), which provides the foundational infrastructure for risk-based access across Imprivata products. By centralizing risk evaluation and tenant entitlement through ICP proxy services, Imprivata enables consistent enforcement of access controls without adding complexity for IT teams or unnecessary steps for legitimate users. Imprivata EAM helps organizations apply secure authentication decisions in real time, improving security outcomes while supporting usability goals and helping organizations confidently reduce friction across critical access workflows.