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Passwords have been around since Ancient Roman times, when guards would rely on “watchwords” to identify people seeking entry through gates at night. As technology expands, it becomes more apparent that a new approach to security needs to be considered, as nearly 80% of all breaches are due to poor password protection protocols. Enter passwordless security, a newer method for protecting networks and sensitive data. We discuss what passwordless means and how businesses can better protect their businesses using this advanced security practice.
Passwordless security is a measure businesses can use to help mitigate data breaches by removing antiquated security practices, like passwords, that are prone to human-error and poor policy management. Essentially, a company can purchase security software from a passwordless security vendor, which provides other methods of authentication, outside of (or in addition to) traditional passwords.
Examples of passwordless security include:
Other forms of passwordless security include smart cards (similar to fobs and USBs), smart links (one-time URL links that grant access for a limited-time), persistent cookies, and 3rd-party identifiers.
Note that MFA – or multi-factor authentication – is different from passwordless security. It can, however, be used in conjunction with passwordless practices to provide an additional layer of protection.
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When incorporating passwordless methods into your businesses security protocols, it is important to implement passwordless security best practices. For starters, always ensure that you have shareholder buy-in – meaning that every member of the team understands the importance of enhanced security protocols and why they should be used in lieu of traditional passwords.
Be certain to get feedback from the security team and, if need be, be prepared to up-skill relevant team members by allocating resources for additional courses to better understand proper implementation and configuration. Along the same lines, be aware that adding additional security layers will require investment in hardware, software, and training.
Another best practice is to use a third-party identity security vendor to help secure your customer and corporate data. Vendors such as Ping Identity can provide scalable, enterprise-level security solutions and security management software. This helps eliminate the need to hire additional security team members and reduce investment in costly hardware resources.
Incentivizing employees to incorporate security measures properly can also help ensure complete buy-in from employees. Consider offering rewards for following safety protocols, such as updating computers on a frequent basis or complete security training courses.
Finally, be certain to never rely on one single form of security to protect your data and network access. The best security systems use multiple layers of protection, which can include traditional password measures, two-factor authentication, passwordless security, and AI security tools.
