Hideez Blog | Identity Management News, Best practices & Tips

Choosing the best EMR for a small practice in 2025 means focusing on usability, affordability, and core functionality rather than feature overload. Small teams need systems that are easy to implement, train on, and integrate with billing, labs, and pharmacies. Top EMRs like Praxis, Tebra, DrChrono, and SimplePractice cater to specific specialties and workflows, offering flexible, cloud-based solutions that go live quickly. Pricing typically ranges from $200 to $700 per provider per month, with additional onboarding and data migration costs. Implementation success depends on careful planning, staff training, and strong vendor support. Cloud-based systems are preferred for their accessibility and lower IT demands, though on-premise options still serve niche needs. Ultimately, long-term usability, integration, and vendor reliability are the most critical factors for sustainable EMR success.

EMRs (Electronic Medical Records) are digital versions of paper charts used within a single healthcare practice, while EHRs (Electronic Health Records) are designed for interoperability, enabling data sharing across providers and facilities. EHRs improve collaboration, reduce errors, and support better patient outcomes through real-time access to complete medical histories. Although EMRs may be more affordable and easier to customize for small practices, their lack of data sharing limits scalability and care coordination. EHRs are essential for modern healthcare environments, particularly under value-based care models. Certified EHR Technology (CEHRT) is required for participation in many federal programs and must meet strict interoperability and security standards. The cost of EHR implementation is significant, but necessary for scalable, compliant, and connected care. Choosing between EMR and EHR systems depends on practice size, needs, and future growth plans.

Microsoft Entra ID is the new name for Azure AD, with no changes to features or pricing. Unlike legacy Active Directory, Entra ID is cloud-native, supports modern protocols, and integrates easily with SaaS apps. It offers advanced security like passwordless login, AI-based threat detection, and dynamic access controls. Ideal for hybrid and remote work, it reduces IT overhead and supports zero-trust strategies. Organizations can migrate gradually using Azure AD Connect. Pricing starts with a free tier, scaling with Premium plans. Hideez tools complement Entra ID with FIDO2 authentication and proximity-based access control.

Auth0 and Okta are both powerful identity management platforms, but they serve distinct purposes — Auth0 is ideal for customer-facing applications, while Okta specializes in internal workforce identity. Auth0 stands out for its developer-friendly approach, supporting rapid deployment, customizable flows, and seamless integration with modern app stacks. Okta, by contrast, offers deep governance features, lifecycle automation, and thousands of enterprise-grade integrations tailored for complex IT environments.

Duo Single Sign-On (SSO) is a cloud-based identity provider that simplifies secure access by allowing users to authenticate once and access multiple apps using SAML 2.0 or OpenID Connect, backed by strong multi-factor authentication (MFA). It integrates with both on-premises Active Directory and cloud identity providers like Microsoft Entra ID and Google Workspace, offering flexibility for diverse IT environments. Duo SSO supports robust access control, compliance with standards like HIPAA and PCI DSS, and adaptive policies based on user, device, and location context. Organizations can manage user access through Duo Central and configure advanced features like routing rules, bridge attributes, and custom domains. High availability is achieved via redundant Authentication Proxy servers, ensuring uptime and reliability. Duo’s built-in monitoring, self-service onboarding, and flexible configuration make it suitable for businesses of all sizes — from education to finance. For companies seeking passwordless access, Duo integrates seamlessly with FIDO-based tools like Hideez, offering a future-ready, phishing-resistant authentication solution.

Okta is a widely used IAM platform, but many organizations are now exploring alternatives due to rising costs, complex administration, and security concerns. Common frustrations include clunky MFA recovery, lack of transparency during breaches, and inconsistent directory synchronization. The article highlights key evaluation factors for choosing an Okta alternative, such as deployment flexibility, phishing-resistant MFA, and compliance readiness. Top enterprise options include Microsoft Entra ID, Ping Identity, ForgeRock, and Hideez — the latter being a budget-friendly, passwordless solution tailored for SMBs. For cloud-native environments, platforms like JumpCloud, OneLogin, and Rippling offer simplified integration and automation. Hideez stands out by offering FIDO2-certified tools and local PC login without requiring a complete infrastructure overhaul. The article emphasizes that the ideal IAM solution depends not just on features but on how well it fits an organization’s architecture, risk tolerance, and growth needs.

Keycloak is a powerful open-source IAM platform but suffers from complex deployment, outdated documentation, and lack of native phishing-resistant authentication. Organizations seeking more streamlined and scalable solutions often turn to alternatives like Auth0, Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, Zluri, WSO2, and OneLogin. Hideez emerges as a strong contender, offering passwordless authentication with support for passkeys, FIDO2, mobile authenticators, and proximity login — particularly suited for SMBs, with a free tier for up to 20 users. Commercial options like Auth0 and Okta offer extensive features but come at higher costs and complexity. Open-source alternatives such as Gluu Server and WSO2 provide flexibility but require significant expertise. Specialized platforms like FreeIPA or LemonLDAP::NG address niche use cases, like Linux integration or lightweight SSO. Hideez stands out for hybrid deployments, ease of use, and its alignment with future IAM trends such as passwordless authentication, Zero Trust, and AI-powered security.

Many developers are moving away from Auth0 in 2025 due to skyrocketing costs, poor support, and limited customization after its acquisition by Okta. This has created demand for alternatives that offer transparent pricing, better developer experience, and flexible deployment. Top contenders include FusionAuth (developer-first with free tiers), Hideez (passwordless, phishing-resistant MFA for SMBs), Keycloak (open-source and self-hosted), and Firebase (scalable with Google integration). Frontegg caters specifically to B2B SaaS with built-in multi-tenancy, while tools like Stytch and WorkOS target specific use cases like Web3 login or enterprise SSO. Pricing varies widely — from open-source to premium — so choosing the right solution depends on your technical needs, growth plans, and budget.

Modern law firms face mounting cybersecurity and compliance pressures, making specialized IT support a critical requirement — not a luxury. With nearly 30% of firms reporting data breaches, traditional password-based systems are no longer viable. The article outlines why law practices benefit from IT solutions tailored to legal workflows, including secure remote access, disaster recovery, and application-specific support. It contrasts in-house IT with managed service providers (MSPs), highlighting the MSP advantage in scalability, legal software expertise, and cost predictability. Cloud-based infrastructure further enhances resilience and supports hybrid work models with secure access and lower overhead. Core services like phishing-resistant MFA, legal software integration, and proactive maintenance are essential to mitigate risk and ensure uptime. Finally, the article introduces Hideez as a cost-effective, passwordless IAM solution purpose-built for law firms — offering phishing protection, secure PC login, and compliance readiness with minimal IT involvement.

Authenticator apps enhance security but can lock users out when they malfunction, often due to poor connectivity, outdated software, or misconfigured device settings. Common culprits include network issues, disabled notifications, battery optimization, and incorrect time settings, all of which can silently disrupt functionality. Basic fixes like checking internet access, restarting the device, and updating apps often resolve these issues. On both Android and iOS, system-level settings like encryption, work profiles, and permissions also play critical roles in authentication success. Biometric and passwordless authentication can fail due to unregistered devices or malware interference. When all troubleshooting fails, it may be time to consider alternatives like Hideez, which avoids traditional failure points through QR-based, biometric-secured login. Hideez offers a streamlined, phishing-resistant solution suitable for small teams and enterprises alike.

Choosing between Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 depends on how your team works, shares, and secures data. Google offers a more seamless experience in browser-based environments, especially Chrome, with strong real-time collaboration tools and streamlined cloud-first storage via Google Drive. Microsoft, on the other hand, excels in desktop-based productivity, offering advanced tools like Excel and Word, deeper system control, and stronger integration with Windows infrastructure. Both platforms offer strong security, but Microsoft users are reportedly more prone to phishing attacks, making MFA critical. While each platform has its pros and cons, both lack phishing-resistant authentication by default. That’s where Hideez comes in — offering passwordless, FIDO2-compliant access for Google and Microsoft environments, improving security, compliance, and user experience.