In a time where the “average person has 100 passwords”, being able to securely access company information while not losing them is imperative for resource and device security. Cyber security risks can target any aspect of your business’s technical operations, including logins.
Thankfully, there is a solution readily available that can help you simplify password management while keeping your network secure. Passwordless authentication can speed up the logging-in process for your employees while minimising their chances of falling victim to cyber threats.
This article will provide you with an easy-to-understand overview of what password-free authentication is and explain how it is safe.
Passwordless authentication, in simple terms
Passwordless authentication is a log-in practice that lets employees log into their company’s network (or a specific program) without the need for a password. It also eliminates any need for the user to answer security questions.
Passwordless authentications provide users with the means to utilise different authentication methods to gain access to systems. For example, a FIDO2 token. With passwordless authentications in place, organisations are able to enhance their overall digital and device security while simplifying the login process for a greater user experience.
Why can passwords not be safe?
Cybercriminals look for any avenue they can exploit. And with more than 60% of people saying “they reuse passwords across multiple accounts”, all it takes is one weak password to be compromised for threat actors to enable a data breach and steal information.
Whether staff use a password based on numbers in ascending order, or the popular ‘QWERTY’, weak passwords can be easily exploited and used to access sensitive information.
This can be done via:
- Credential stuffing
- Phishing
- Brute force attacks
- Keylogging
- Dictionary attacks
- Man-in-the-middle attacks
Is passwordless authentication safe to use?
While no account or device security solution is foolproof, there are tools whose features and uses can help secure users’ networks while reducing cyber security risks. Stolen credentials are an effective tool for cyber-attacks. Consequently, organizations should be deploying the latest in password technology to safeguard their data.
Passwordless authentication is inherently safer than standard passwords as it requires users to log in with personalised identification objects. It also removes the need for users to remember passwords or store them in potentially unsafe locations, eliminating the presence of weak logins and ineffective password practices and policies.
By redirecting company logins towards more employee-based authentication methods (physical and digital tokens, biometrics, etc.), organisations can make it more challenging for threat actors to penetrate company systems as they will not be able to leverage a password.
What are the benefits of passwordless authentication?
Password-free authentication offers several benefits that any business can take advantage of. They are:
- Enhanced account and device security – password-free authentication relies on more secure methods, such as biometrics or physical tokens, which are harder to hack or replicate. This can allow you to strengthen the security measures around your network and minimise cyber security risks.
- A seamless user experience – password-free authentication does not require users to remember and manage passwords. Not only can this help prevent people from becoming locked out of their accounts, but it can also make the entire log-in process hassle-free.
- Increased productivity – with passwordless authentication, users do not have to waste time typing in passwords, answering security questions, or waiting for password resets. This can lead to faster logins and increased employee productivity and efficiency.
- Less complicated technical processes – by simplifying the organisation's password management initiatives, employees can have greater success in enabling secure login best practices without feeling overwhelmed.
How can businesses deploy passwordless authentication?
Rolling out password-free authentication can be a rewarding process. To do it effectively, there are a few things companies need to keep in mind.
They are:
- Analyse the health of current device security tools and authentication solutions to ensure they are up-to-date and ready for passwordless authentication.
- Assess your IT infrastructure and the resources that need to be protected.
- Make sure the specifics of your company's password-free authentications (configurations and the processes themselves) are relevant and easy to follow.
- Communicate your intentions for the business to go passwordless. Answer any questions people have and develop a strategy to roll out the new login processes securely.
- Once your organisation has gone completely passwordless, remove any traces of old passwords from your networks. Do this slowly to ensure that passwords are eliminated only when they are no longer needed.
- Update your company's cyber security and IT strategy to include passwordless authentication. Every day, threat actors develop new ways to attack organisations, and a new login process does not mean businesses can relax their information and device security measures.
- Stay informed of the latest cyber threats and update your passwordless authentication methods to keep them relevant.
Reduce cyber security risks and enhance account and device security with the professionals
Password-free authentication is a great way to simplify your company’s IT practices and increase productivity – all the while increasing device security. By shifting to passwordless login methods, businesses can mitigate security incidents and keep their accounts safer from various cyber security risks.
The cyber security professionals at Muscatech are experts in password-free authentication for organisations everywhere. The team at Muscatech are fully capable of upgrading your network to support password-free authentication. They can deploy it and manage all its configurations for reliable security.
If you are keen on securing your business data and accounts with a hassle-free login solution, talk to the Muscatech team today.
