Is the Future Passwords, or Passwordless Authentication?

As we laid bare in our new report, From Passwords to Passwordless, passwords continue to play a crucial role in how employees access their work.

Passwords still plague IT and employees alike with insecurities and inconveniences. IT spends more time managing users’ passwords and login information, while acknowledging that employee password behaviors pose significant cyber security risks for their organization.

Both IT and employees are frustrated with passwords, though for different reasons. IT is bothered by poor password hygiene and the time required to solve those problems. Employees, on the other hand, don’t like being tasked with labor-intensive, time-consuming security steps.

Passwordless authentication seems like an ideal solution. Passwordless technologies like single sign-on, federated identity, and biometric authentication promise to eliminate the use of traditional usernames and passwords. For IT, passwordless authentication means better security, visibility, and control. For employees, it promises convenience and simplicity.

Is passwordless authentication the solution businesses are looking for?

85% of IT and IT security professionals don’t think passwords will go away completely. 85% also agree that there is a need for a combination of passwordless authentication and password management.

It’s true that passwordless authentication solutions reduce the number of passwords in use. The reduction in passwords can significantly simplify the employee authentication experience while improving security organization-wide.

But there will still be passwords for the forseeable future, so it’s critical that a password management solution is used alongside a passwordless authentication model. When the two technologies are integrated, businesses can truly control and eliminate password related problems.

Most respondents (92%) believe their organization is headed towards delivering a passwordless experience for end users. The need for simple, secure authentication solutions continues to grow, especially as businesses embrace a future of remote work. By implementing passwordless authentication alongside password management, businesses can better prepare for and take advantage of the benefits of remote work.

When employees can quickly and easily access work wherever they are, and IT has the oversight and security needed to keep the business safe, there’ll be less time wasted, less frustration, and overall a more productive, secure organization.

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