More than 80 percent of cyberattacks are all because of one common variable. Do you have any guesses of what that might be? If you were to guess “stolen access credentials” then you would be absolutely correct. But luckily, the traditional username and password combination may soon be a thing of the past because more and more tech companies are transitioning to different authentication measures. One example of passwordless authentication use is Microsoft.
But First… What is Passwordless Authentication?
Passwordless authentication is exactly what it sounds like it is. Instead of using a predetermined passcode, this type of authentication uses different methods. These other measures might be verification applications, security tokens, biometrics or authentication through another service or application.
Did you know you’ve probably already used passwordless authentication? If your phone unlocks with just a recognition of your face or fingerprint, you have. How about receiving a code through text message or email? Some of these methods aren’t as secure as others, but they all at least avoid the weakness that passwords bring along. Here are a few of the major weaknesses these authentication methods can avoid by avoiding passwords:
- Brute force attempts are simpler for cybercriminals since passwords harbor insufficient strength
- Users can’t reuse their same passwords across different accounts and applications
- Passwords are the only way hackers can use brute force
The Benefits of Passwordless Authentication
Cost Efficacy
Forrester Research says that password resets cause businesses around $70 each. If there are no passwords to reset, that money is saved.
Improved Convenience in the User Experience
Instead of expecting your employees to remember all of their “unique” and secure passwords, they won’t have to anymore. This expectation often leads people to reuse their passwords, which makes them way less secure, if they are secure at all. This type of authentication takes this pressure away and adds less stress to your team while keeping your business safe.
Security
Passwordless authentication, if it’s not already clear, is safer and more secure than other forms of authentication. This is why Microsoft is working on ways to incorporate this technology.
What Microsoft is Doing
150 million consumer and enterprise accounts are using it, and up to 90 percent of their own 150 thousand employees are using it too. They did this by pairing this authentication with multi-factor authentication as well.
Do you need help incorporating these methods? Mytek knows exactly how to make that possible so give us a call at 623-312-2440 today.