5 benefits of passwordless authentication
Usernames and passwords have been the basis of authentication for over 50 years. But with today's IT landscape, threats and changing usage patterns, passwordless authentication offers a more secure and user-friendly alternative. Here are five key benefits.
1. Effective protection against phishing and password lists
Phishing attacks are designed to trick victims into giving away sensitive information, often their username and password. Alternatively, attackers can use lists of credentials stolen from previously compromised services and bet on employees reusing the same passwords across multiple services.
These forms of attack are largely beyond the control of IT administrators. The first line of defense against phishing is the knowledge, awareness and vigilance of employees. Nevertheless, someone will inevitably fall for it from time to time.
Replace passwords with a stronger authentication factor
Attacks using compromised credentials are often successful because people reuse passwords, potentially exposing otherwise secure company services. There are simply too many opportunities for passwords to fall into the wrong hands. Replacing passwords with a stronger authentication factor, such as an employee's mobile phone, provides effective protection against common forms of attack.
2. More user-friendly MFA
To address the inherent weaknesses of passwords, organizations commonly use multifactor authentication (MFA). This means authentication no longer relies solely on something the user knows, such as a password. It also requires something the user has, such as a mobile phone. Even stronger security can be achieved by adding a third factor: something the user is, such as a fingerprint, face or other biometric characteristic.
The challenge is that MFA can affect usability. Instead of simply entering a username and password, employees may also need to enter a one-time code or verify their identity using biometrics. This can be inconvenient, particularly on mobile devices, where an incorrect entry may mean going through the process again. To avoid placing an unnecessary burden on employees, IT therefore needs to balance security requirements with the organization's risk tolerance.
Replace passwords with a more user-friendly authentication factor
If employees use something they have, such as a mobile phone, instead of a password to log in, authentication can be significantly more secure than relying on passwords alone. If multifactor authentication is required, another factor based on something the employee has or is can be added. Either way, authentication can be both more secure and more user-friendly without passwords.
3. Seamless user experience
Secure authentication can be as simple as using a fingerprint on your mobile phone. No more forgotten or misspelled passwords, resulting in a simpler and more seamless user experience.
The solution combines something the user has, access to their mobile phone, with something the user is, such as their fingerprint. This provides strong two-factor authentication without relying on passwords and requires only one action from the user. The sequence and choice of authentication factors can be adapted to the organization's needs. For external users, it is also possible to send a one-time code by SMS or a "magic link" by email.
4. Reduced need for support
To improve security, organizations have introduced requirements for increasingly complex passwords. They may need to meet a minimum length, contain special characters and be changed regularly. While these measures have improved security, they have also made authentication more demanding for employees. Complex passwords are difficult to remember, increasing the number of locked accounts that support teams need to reopen.
The number of password-related support requests tends to increase with the perceived complexity for users. In other words, an outdated authentication approach is not only inconvenient for employees but can also be a significant cost driver. Passwordless authentication, on the other hand, can increase productivity and reduce support requests.
5. Less time spent managing password policies
Organizations spend considerable time documenting and managing password policies, training employees and ensuring compliance. Employees need to understand the rules, and in some organizations they may also need to formally confirm that they have done so. IT must ensure that password policies remain up to date and work across all relevant systems.
Without passwords, much of this administration is no longer necessary, freeing up time for more productive tasks.
