Adaptive Auth Strength Calculator

Inputs

Enter risk signals and controls. Higher risk raises required strength; stronger factors raise provided strength.

Device Trust Score (0–100)

Higher is better (managed device, healthy posture).

Location Risk (0–100)

Higher for new countries, impossible travel, TOR.

Behavior Anomaly (0–100)

Higher for unusual access patterns and keystrokes.

Network Risk (0–100)

Higher on public Wi‑Fi, unknown ASN, bot traffic.

Threat Intel Alert Level (0–5)

Raised during active campaigns or targeted attacks.

Failed Attempts (last 24h, 0–20)

High values often indicate spraying or password stuffing.

Password Age (days, 0–365)

Older passwords raise exposure in reuse scenarios.

Account Sensitivity (1–5)

Higher for finance, admin panels, and PII access.

Privileged Account

Applies stricter expectations

Privileged access should favor phishing-resistant methods.

Primary Authentication Method

Choose the dominant factor set used at sign-in.

Adaptive Controls

Step-up on elevated risk

Continuous re-authentication

Strict timeouts and re-login

These controls improve coverage when risk changes.

Session and Device Protections

Bind sessions to trusted device

Token binding / proof-of-possession

Rate limits, detection tuning, hardening

These reduce replay, automation, and session abuse.

Network Boundary Controls

VPN or IP allowlisting

Useful for sensitive systems and admin access paths.

Reset

Formula used

This calculator compares required strength to provided strength.

Weighted risk = 0.25·(100−DeviceTrust) + 0.25·LocationRisk + 0.30·BehaviorAnomaly + 0.20·NetworkRisk
Modifiers add risk for threat intel, failures, and stale passwords.
Risk discount reduces risk when boundary and binding controls exist (capped at 20%).
Required strength = RiskScore × SensitivityMultiplier (plus privileged uplift).
Provided strength = MethodBasePoints + ControlBonuses − HygienePenalties.
Coverage ratio = (Provided ÷ Required) × 100.

How to use

Set risk signals from your telemetry and detections.
Pick the primary sign-in method used by your users.
Check controls that are consistently enforced in production.
Click Calculate and review risk band, ratio, and gap.
Apply recommendations, then re-score until balanced.
Export CSV or PDF for audits and control evidence.

Example data table

Illustrative scenarios to benchmark typical outcomes.

Scenario	Device	Location	Behavior	Network	Sensitivity	Method	Required	Provided	Ratio	Band
Low-risk user	85	15	10	15	2	Push	13.35	85	200%	Low
Moderate-risk employee	65	40	35	35	3	Password + App	50.22	81	161.3%	Medium
High-risk privileged access	45	75	70	65	5	Security key / passkey	139.85	133	95.1%	Critical

Tip: Use your own telemetry baselines for scoring consistency across teams.

Risk signals and weighting

Adaptive decisions start with measurable telemetry. Device trust reduces risk when posture is healthy, patched, and managed. Location and network risk increase when access comes from new regions, unknown ASNs, public Wi-Fi, or anonymity services. Behavioral anomaly captures deviations in timing, velocity, or typical application paths. In this calculator, weighted risk blends these signals, then adds threat-intel, failure, and password-age modifiers. Threat intel (0-5) can add up to 20 points, failed attempts up to 30, and stale passwords above 90 days add up to 15. Boundary and binding controls can discount the risk portion, capped at 20% for consistency.

Required strength and sensitivity

Required strength increases as data value rises. Sensitivity levels 1-5 apply a multiplier that scales expected assurance, reflecting how different systems tolerate compromise. Privileged access receives an additional uplift because compromise often enables lateral movement and persistence. When risk spikes, the required score rises quickly, which supports step-up challenges rather than forcing the same friction on every login.

Provided strength from factors

Provided strength reflects the factor set and compensating controls. Password-only is scored lowest because phishing and reuse are common. App-based MFA and push approvals increase assurance, while certificates and security keys or passkeys rate highest due to phishing resistance. Controls such as device binding, token binding, strict timeouts, continuous re-auth, and hardened detection add points because they reduce session replay and automated abuse.

Interpreting the coverage ratio

Coverage ratio equals provided strength divided by required strength, expressed as a percentage. Ratios near 100% indicate balance: users see proportionate friction for the observed risk. Lower ratios highlight exposure and justify adding stronger factors, enabling step-up, or tightening session protections. Very high ratios can signal excess friction; you might keep strong step-up triggers while easing low-risk logins for productivity.

Operational use and audit evidence

Use the tool for policy tuning and evidence. Start with baseline telemetry averages, then test scenarios such as new-device logins, travel, or elevated threat-intel periods. Capture before-and-after ratios to show improvement when deploying phishing-resistant MFA or session binding. Exported CSV and PDF outputs provide a lightweight audit trail, supporting reviews, control mapping, and ongoing monitoring dashboards at scale.

FAQs

1) What does the risk score represent?

It summarizes device, location, behavior, and network signals, then adds threat, failure, and password-age modifiers. Use it to decide when to require step-up authentication or block access.

2) Is the score an industry standard?

No. It is a structured estimate for planning. Calibrate weights, point values, and thresholds using your telemetry, incident history, and risk appetite so results align with your environment.

3) Why is SMS scored lower than other factors?

SMS codes can be exposed through SIM swaps, interception, or social engineering. Prefer authenticator apps, push with strong verification, or phishing-resistant security keys or passkeys for higher assurance.

4) When should privileged users use phishing-resistant methods?

For admin consoles, production systems, and sensitive data, require security keys, passkeys, or certificates. Combine them with device binding and session protections to reduce replay risk and shorten attacker dwell time.

5) How do I pick a step-up threshold?

Start by stepping up at Medium risk and higher, then tighten during elevated threat intelligence or unusual travel. Track false positives, user friction, and bypass attempts, and adjust gradually.

6) What should I export for reviews and audits?

Export the scenario inputs, required versus provided strength, coverage ratio, and the recommendations list. Keep before-and-after exports to demonstrate control improvements and support periodic access reviews.

This tool provides a structured estimate for security planning and documentation.