Security Simplified: Going Password-less
Why eliminate passwords?
Passwords are no longer secure enough. The costs of using passwords outweigh the benefits. Despite how strong they are, passwords have become more predictable and leave users vulnerable to phishing attacks and theft.
IT departments know too well that password support and maintenance have increasingly become more expensive. IT departments attempt to lessen the risk of passwords by demanding frequent password changes and more complexity. These methods increase help desk costs and lead to poor user experience because of password-reset requirements. Password protection is insufficient for current cybersecurity threats and doesn’t meet information security needs.
What are password alternatives?
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
An authentication by pin and password, other devices, or biometrics have become an additional layer of security.
Since access environments have become more complex, and there are increasingly more access points than before, it is reasonable for IT teams to add multi-factor authentication options where users connect to resources.
Adding authentication steps and going beyond passwords makes user access to organization resources more secure.
It’s important for IT teams to ensure a seamless user experience and security, because MFA might lead to complexity when it comes to user experience, and as a result, hamper productivity.
Password-less authentication is a type of multi-factor authentication that is a more secure password alternative.
To sign in, password-less authentication requires two or more verification factors secured with a cryptographic key pair. When registered, the device creates a private and public key. You unlock a private key only by using a local gesture like a biometric or PIN. Users can choose to sign in directly with biometric recognition like a fingerprint scan or facial recognition, or with a PIN that is locked on the device and secure.
This method of authentication is now available both for cloud and hybrid environments. Workers no longer need passwords to sign in, eliminating one of the weakest links in security. Workers sign in with Azure AD biometrics or a tap using the Microsoft Authenticator App or Windows Hello for Business.
Password replacement can eliminate security risks, provide convenience and ease-of-use. Password-less authentication promises a future environment of authentication that meets the needs of high security and usability among different authentication devices. Ultimately, end-users don’t have to deal with passwords in their day-to-day lives. A password-less, intelligent sign-in experience improves security and user experience, and reduces help desk costs.