Fabric assisted identity and authentication

A method for context-based authentication in a secure network including multiple interconnected programmable devices, the method comprising:

• obtaining, from a programmable device, identity data and contextual data associated with a current authentication of a user attempting to access the secure network, the user being associated with the programmable device, the contextual data indicating a number of authentication factors implementable by the programmable device in connection with the current authentication, whether the programmable device is an approved device for the secure network, and whether the programmable device is attempting to access the secure network via a physical communication mechanism;
• determining, based on the identity data and the contextual data, one or more patterns associated with the current authentication of the user;
• determining, based on the identity data, the number of authentication factors indicated by the contextual data, and the one or more patterns, a risk level associated with the current authentication of the user;
• permitting access to the secure network in response to one or more processors determining the determined risk level satisfies a threshold;
• requesting additional identity data in response to the one or more processors determining the determined risk level does not satisfy the threshold;
• and
• determining whether to permit access to the secure network based on the current authentication and the additional identity data.

A system for context-based authentication in a secure network including multiple interconnected programmable devices, the system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• a memory including instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to:
• access identity data and contextual data associated with a current authentication of a user attempting to access the secure network with a programmable device of the multiple interconnected programmable devices, the contextual data indicating a number of authentication factors implementable by the programmable device in connection with the current authentication, whether the programmable device is an approved device for the secure network, and whether the programmable device is attempting to access the secure network via a physical communication mechanism;
• determine, based on the identity data and the contextual data, one or more patterns associated with the current authentication of the user;
• determine, based on the identity data, the number of authentication factors indicated by the contextual data, and the one or more patterns, a risk level associated with the current authentication of the user;
• permit access to the secure network in response the determined risk level satisfying a threshold;
• request additional identity data in response to the determined risk level not satisfying the threshold;
• and
• determine whether to permit access to the secure network based on the current authentication and the additional identity data.