Alien Eyes - Uniqkey

Evolving

The Enterprise

Security Ecosystem

A holistic product design journey for Uniqkey, a B2B security platform. This case study unifies three key initiatives—redesigning access points, streamlining 2FA protocols, and establishing admin-employee communication channels—to balance robust protection with intuitive usability.

SaaS

B2B

Cyber Security

2FA

Access Management

Enterprise UX

CRM

Project Scope Note

While this story highlights the challenges of designing the Admin Panel and Mobile App, the complete product is a comprehensive multi-platform suite.

I served as the Lead Designer for all components of the platform:

Admin Portal
Partner Portal
Browser Extension
Mobile App
Desktop App

REDESIGNING ACCESS TO

THE MANAGEMENT DASHBOARD

90% of cyberattacks start with email, and poor access management creates security risks, especially in B2B. Uniqkey automates control, reducing errors and strengthening cybersecurity. As hybrid work and cloud adoption grow, demand for such solutions rises.

These managers handle:

Large volumes of employee and data
Robust cybersecurity requirements
Seamless monitoring needs
Efficient management tools for better control

Admin Panel is widely used by managers in:

Government institutions
Leading European enterprises

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary user of Uniqkey's Admin Panel is the company administrator, responsible for ensuring secure and efficient access management across

the organization.

Centralized access control

Easy creation, assignment, and monitoring of corporate service access.

Automated onboarding / offboarding

Swift employee management with minimal data breach risks.

Passwordless authentication

Enhanced security through SSO and 2FA via mobile app.

Security monitoring & audits

Activity tracking, role management, and quick response to threats.

Minimized password leakage risk

Eliminates manual password entry and sharing.

Discovery and Research

Current first-gen Dashboard:

Risks of Inefficient admin management

Increased risk

of data leaks

Vulnerability

to cyberattacks

Low productivity and wasted time

Non-compliance with security policies

Financial and

legal consequences

DOES THIS DASHBOARD MEET USERS NEEDS?

Feedback from users regarding

the Dashboardand the admin panel

in general:

Bulky widgets hinder key info perception.
Admin panel is complex and time-consuming.
Limited customization for role-based data.
Unclear security score guidance.
Widgets slow down performance.

Systems

Administrator

Relevant information is not always visible on the dashboard. More customization options are needed

to display data according to company priorities and roles.

Compliance

Officer

I don’t fully understand how to

improve the Average Security score.

The interface doesn’t provide clear guidance on how to enhance these metrics.

Manager

The admin panel is quite complex

to use, which takes up a lot of time when managing employees and access to services. More intuitive settings would be appreciated.

System

Administrator

The widgets put an additional

load on the system, which sometimes

leads to slow performance.

The system could run faster.

Security Operations

Manager

The widgets on the dashboard appear

too bulky, making it difficult

to perceive important information.

There are also challenges with data configuration, and the setup process takes longer than expected.

Heuristic Analysis of the Dashboard

User feedback wasn't collected immediately, but complaints about the complexity of operations without clear explanations were noted.

My task was to update the outdated system to a more intuitive one. To identify key usability issues, I used

a component-based approach with heuristic design.

Visibility of System Status

Lack of understanding of what is happening with the organization at the moment;

It is unclear where the Average Security Score comes from and how to influence it;

No charts are available to understand the current situation.

Help Users Recognize, Diagnose,

and Recover from Errors

Errors do not include detailed explanations, messages lack informativeness, and hints

are not noticeable enough.

Consistency and Standards

Widgets are divided into different colors, but without a clear purpose. This only confuses users and distract their attention, making information harder to process.

Error Prevention

The interface does not indicate which metric poses a threat and which is potentially dangerous.

Help and Documentation

Help materials are placed in

an inconvenient location, and instructions are too small and difficult to notice, making it harder to find the necessary information.

Aesthetic and Minimalist Design

Large panels and bulky shapes with excessive spacing take up valuable space, forcing users to scroll unnecessarily and get distracted

by irrelevant details.

User Control and Freedom

Widgets do not allow users to delve deeper into the data or quickly edit parameters, making information management more difficult.

Recognition Rather Than Recall

No tooltips appear when hovering over functional panels, forcing users to return to onboarding

or spend extra time navigating

the page.

Flexibility and Efficiency

The lack of flexible navigation within the dashboard complicates

and prolongs the administrator's ability to assess and manage

the system efficiently.

Discovery and Research

Description of interface elements added based on heuristic findings to enhance usability:

THE IMPACT OF UX IMPROVEMENTS

User satisfaction with NextGen increased by 26%,

leading to a boost in sales (support data);

Direct impact: Improved UX solved key issues:

navigation, Security Score, critical data visibility.

26%

DEEP UPGRADE

Further improvements, including a reevaluation

of the Security Score for greater accuracy

Identified Issues

Security Score logic needed optimization. Critical information was not easily accessible. Key risk factors were not fully reflected:

Weak passwords;
Credential reuse;
Absence of 2FA.

Required Improvements

Reassessment of Average Security Score calculation.

Greater transparency in displaying security status for:

Logins
Groups
Services

SOLUTION OF THE SECOND ITERATION

The business aimed to elevate the design's status and enhance UX by making the Security Score and dashboard graphs more intuitive.

RESULTS

Compact layout

Faster situation assessment

Clearer navigation

Improved management efficiency.

Refined style

A calmer, more formal interface.

TECHNICAL PART

The first dashboard and admin panel were built using a UI Kit based on Atomic Design, which later evolved into a full-scale Design System.

Through iterations, scaling, and developer collaboration, it became the core component library for all future platforms.

The second iteration improved flexibility by integrating lessons learned from the first version, ensuring a more adaptable and efficient system.

DESIGN SYSTEM STRUCTURE

The system was divided into two main blocks, including Development Integration

Foundaion

Core stylistic principles

Typography (font styles, scaling, line-height);
Color Tokens (primary palette, shades, semantic colors);
Spacing & Grid (margins, breakpoints, layout rules);
Effects (shadows, borders, animation tokens).

Components

UI component library

Variants & States (buttons, inputs, modals, etc.);
Tokenized Styles (variables for colors, sizes, typography);
Auto-layout & Constraints (adaptability & scalability).

Development Integration

Figma Dev Mode provides detailed HTML/CSS specs;
Clear documentation ensures faster implementation and fewer errors;
Advanced token system allows seamless style updates.

This update significantly improved team efficiency, streamlined UI updates, and enhanced collaboration between designers and developers.

IMPACT OF NEXTGEN LAUNCH

Recognition and financial growth:

Increased demand for services.

35% increase in annual revenue after product update.

Client base expansion:

New corporate clients from across Europe.

Expansion beyond Scandinavia, increasing mark.

35%

USER FEEDBACK:

95%

Of users found the dashboard

easier to navigate

80%

Appreciated color-coded

critical info for faster decisions

85%

Improved Security Score revealed vulnerabilities

and enhanced security.

Awards

STREAMLINE UX

FOR 2FA AND SECURITY

Companies constantly face cybersecurity threats like phishing and credential theft. Push-based authentication mitigates these risks by replacing manual logins with a one-tap approval on a trusted device, reducing credential compromise and password fatigue.

In this case study, I showcase how I refined Uniqkey's mobile app UX to streamline authentication and enhance secure access management.

The main use cases remain unchanged, covering 90% of app usage, but targeted UI improvements will enhance the overall user experience.

DISCUSSION

WITH STAKEHOLDER

Before starting the Next-Gen update, I discussed the approach with stakeholders. The business team wanted all services on the main screen,

but I argued for a more focused UI to avoid unnecessary clutter.

A user flow study confirmed that users primarily need essential data.

Prioritized essential elements

to prevent overload

Gradual rollout of filterin

and sharing options

Allowed to control access

with time restrictions

Introduced changes step

by step for easier adoption

Reduced cognitive load while

improving control and efficiency

DISCOVERY AND RESEARCH

Analysis of the current interface according to heuristic evaluation.

CURRENT INTERFACE

Lack of grouping

or prioritization of data.

The visual structure does not meet modern UX standards. Due to the heavily loaded feed, users may easily get confused.

Hidden and overloaded menu.No quick access to important functions.

The search field is hidden and barely noticeable. No indicator of an active filter or category.

"All passwords"

looks like text rather than a selector.

No filters or categorization.The user cannot quickly switch between

data categories.

No clear categorization of data, making it harder to perceive. Data elements look identical, making navigation difficult.

Pain Points for Users

Undefined App

State on Launch

Users expected to see an immediate login request popup upon opening the app. Instead, they were presented with a list of saved services in the first few seconds, causing confusion.

Unclear Steps When Missing

Push Notifications

If users missed a push notification,

they hadto manually trigger it again.

This resulted in receiving all missed notifications at once, with the relevant

one buried at the bottom, increasing cognitive load and delaying access.

Lack of Clear Visibility

for Important Updates

Users struggled to find security-related changes, check access to stored passwords,

or manage permissions efficiently.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES FOR PRODUCT ENHANCEMENT

Improving security and expanding functionality within the current scope.

Optimizing the authentication

process for fast and intuitive confirmation via mobile, ensuring

seamless user access to the service.

Improving push notifications,

ensuring that every action or status change is accompanied by a notification, keeping users updated with

the latest security changes.

Introducing new features,

such as adding payment cards and notes, improving data filtering and sorting for better management of sensitive information.

Adding different access levels,

allowing more flexible permission management and restrictions, enhancing security and control over data.

Enhancing app navigation

by implementing a bottom navigation

menu for easier access to core features like the Security Dashboard, profile management, and access settings.

Implementing onboarding

to introduce users to the process,

as it was previously absent.

This will help them understand key actions

and discover new features efficiently.

CONCEPT OF THE FIRST ITERATION

Incorporated user feedback, business needs, and additional features, based on design heuristics insights.

Heuristic evaluation of a new result:

This reorganization improves visual hierarchy, provides a better understanding of the situation, and allows users to view data immediately without extra steps.

Introducing a bottom menu ensures convenient access to key features like "My Storage", "QR Scanner,"

and "More," improving navigation

and tool accessibility.

This notification now shows not only access requests from the user’s own requests but also from administrators and colleagues.

The progress bar on the start screen helps new

users track how different app features work, while experienced employees can stay informed about new functionalities, reducing stress and making

the process more manageable.

The progress bar on the start screen helps

new users track how different app features work, while experienced employees can stay informed about new functionalities, reducing stress

and making the process more manageable.

Push notifications now provide clear feedback after every status change or action, keeping users updated without the need to check manually.

New access and permission management features: Advanced access control allows administrators

to configure user permissions, enhancing security levels.

Visibility of system status

Clearly visible search field.Added filter button in the upper right corner. Clear and understandable tab:

(Logins, Payments, Secure Notes).

Match between system and real world

Improved categorization (clear section headings). Tabs align with user expectations for data types.

Improved data grouping. Prioritization

of important records in the "Most used" section.

Aesthetic and minimalist design

Well-organized content with clear separation by type. Minimalist and functional design of elements.

Flexibility and efficiency of use

Bottom navigation menu enables quick app navigation. Added icons for easier visual perception.

User control and freedom

Users can quickly switch between tabs. Added filtering functionality.

Consistency and standards

Visual structure is now more organized.Clear status indication for each entry

(lock icon, icons, etc.).

Error prevention

Clearly marked category areas.Visual separations between sections

improve orientation.

Before

After

Recognition and financial growth:

After the first iteration, users were less confused and found the necessary information faster.

+40%

Found information faster,

and satisfaction level increased

+20%

Users did not notice any changes

but had no complaints

UI UPDATE FOR B2B AUDIENCE

Given the success of the updated navigation and functionality, the company

decided to refresh and modernize the UI design, adapting it for the B2B segment.

The primary requirement is a formal, restrained style that better aligns with

the expectations of corporate clients.

Eliminate B2C associations:

bright colors, rounded elements

Reduce visual noise to enhance

focus on key functions

Use a minimalist color palette

and clear typography

SOLUTION OF THE SECOND ITERATION

Filtering and item selection flow.

Impact of nextgen launch

Sales

Growth

pdates to functionality and design

have contributed to increased sales, indicating higher user satisfaction

and product competitiveness.

Expansion into

European Markets

In 2024, Uniqkey successfully entered new European markets beyond the Scandinavian region, strengthening its presence and influence in the cybersecurity sector.

Participation in

International Events

The product has been showcased at several prestigious cybersecurity summits, enhancing its recognition and credibility among industry professionals.

FIXING THE COMMUNICATION

BETWEEN ADMINS AND EMPLOYEES

As part of the project to enhance communication between admins and employees,

I worked on developing a secure data access system by improving access sorting and organization. My task was to create an intuitive and secure infrastructure for company employees, ensuring they have access to the necessary data to perform their job tasks.

Admin Use Cases:

Provide emplovees with access to data;
Easilv sort data b department or specific employees.

Employee Use Cases:

Quickly and seamlessly access data.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The support manager shared their observations and user feedback.

Employees report frustration with managers providing duplicated or unnecessary information, leading to confusion

and inefficiency.

The lack of structured access results in data overload, making it difficult for employees to find relevant information quickly.

A more organized solution is needed to streamline data distribution and improve usability.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Existing method of providing employees with security data

User Feedback – Admin:

Manager

Access distribution via groups helps quickly set up access for new employees. However, the data lists are too broad—accountants see more than they need, and

it's not possible to grant access individually. We need more flexible access settings

for different roles.

System

Administrator

The admin panel is easy to understand, but it lacks the ability to create subgroups or fine-tune access to critical data. This forces us to create extra groups, complicating management.

A more flexible access hierarchy would be helpful.

User Feedback – Employee:

Accountant

I have access to all the department’s financial data,

but most of it isn’t needed.

To find the right password,

I have to scroll through long lists, which wastes time and distracts from work. I'd prefer more accurate access to what

I actually use.

Head of Finance

Relevant information is not always visible on the dashboard. More customization options are needed

to display data according to company priorities and roles.

Insights research

To gain deeper insights into the issues, we conducted an alignment discussion with the product and business teams. Based on the findings, I created the following CJM.

The CJM reveals inefficiencies in data access:

Admins face unclear requests and redundant tasks, while employees struggle with disorganized information. Solutions include better structuring, multi-level access, filters, and breadcrumb navigation to improve efficiency and clarity.

COMPETITIVE UX BENCHMARKING

While working on the product, I researched competitors to understand common UX patterns for B2B. I tested and refined competitors mechanisms so that administrators transitioning to our product could easily adapt to a familiar UX pattern, as the UI is intuitively similar.

This comparative analysis revealed that for deeper structuring, the existing functionality needs to be expanded without radical changes. The best solution is to maintain the current structure, as seen in competitors, but with the ability to create subgroups within groups, allowing administrators to organize data more thoroughly.

USABILITY HEURISTICS

The research conclusion highlights the application of three key usability heuristics that will directly impact the convenience and effectiveness of working with data.

This solution improves UX while making the product intuitive and easier to maintain.

USER CONTROL AND FREEDOM

Folders with subtabs give administrators flexibility in organizing data, allowing

the system to be tailored to their needs.

SIMPLICITY AND MINIMALISM

A single 'Secured data' tab with centralized management enhances convenience and reduces cognitive load, making the interface clearer.

CONSISTENCY AND STANDARDS

Users expect logically grouped information,

not scattered across tabs, which speeds

up access and reduces errors.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Admins can organize data in detailed,

multi-level groups

Employees quickly find necessary

data without being overloaded

The company reduces access

confusion and enhance security

CONCEPT OF THE FIRST ITERATION

I sketched several drafts and arrived at a simple

yet familiar solution - an optional panel with folders.

IMPLEMENTATION & RESULT

The admin panel was updated with enhanced data structuring, consolidating "Logins," "Payment Cards," and "Secure Notes" into a single "Secured Data" tab with a folder management panel. This allows efficient organization and access control for departments and employees. In the "Employees" tab, admins can now view available secured data by groups and subfolders.

Before

After

THE IMPACT OF UX IMPROVEMENTS

The update streamlined secure data management, reducing complaints by nearly 38% while enhancing admin efficiency. Employees can still access data seamlessly, now in a more structured and personalized way, balancing optimization with a smooth user experience.

+38%

SOLUTION OF THE SECOND ITERATION STATEMENT

COMPETITIVE UX BENCHMARKING

The updated data management approach proved successful, prompting leadership to revise the visual style. The goal was a restrained, formal design better suited for B2B. Vibrant colors and rounded elements felt more B2C, leading to a redesign with a minimalist palette, clear typography, and reduced decoration.

This made the interface more professional and prestigious. Additional research on market trends, competitors, and B2B design was conducted.

As a result, the next design iteration was developed.

RESULTS

-32%

-27%

The redesigned interface and improved data sorting significantly boosted admin efficiency, cutting login search time by 32% and reducing support requests by 27%.

IMPACT OF NEXTGEN LAUNCH

Cut Search Time

32% ↓

Reduced Support Requests

27% ↓

Higher User Satisfaction

↑ 72%

The minimalistic UI, refined typography, and subtle color palette enhanced trust among corporate clients. Research shows that 72% of B2B companies prefer clean, functional UI, linking it to stability and security.

As a result, these improvements not only elevated user satisfaction but

also strengthened Uniqkey's market position among top cybersecurity players.

Live Design Files:

The real work space with a messy kitchen. Iterations, rejected concepts, and the evolving design system in Figma.

Explore Admin Portal WIP:

Working files, flows, and iterations

Explore Mobile App WIP:

Working files, flows, and iterations

Design System:

Components, styles, and tokens

Reviews

Sanne Øst

Chief Product Officer

Roman is a very creative person. We worked together on the design of a password management application and came up with a great solution that was successfully launched. Roman loves to research the market and is always full of creative ideas.If you need fresh and unique eye on your product - Roman is the right person.