As technology evolves and cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the conventional password authentication methods we rely on today are facing new, increasing challenges. Organizations need to remain vigilant about the evolution of technology and the new best practices needed to ensure their data and accounts are being protected.
Raising our binoculars toward the horizon, let’s discuss how passwords/passcodes and access authentications might be changing in the future.
Passwords won’t be the best practice forever. Because it’s becoming increasingly easier for an outside threat actor to phish or crack account passwords, there’s a push to eliminate passwords as a security measure. One option to replace them is Passwordless Authentication.
What is Passwordless Authentication?
As the name explains, passwordless authentication verifies a user’s identity with something other than a password. Some options gaining traction include biometrics, hardware tokens, or cryptographic keys. There are 2 types of passwordless authentication:
- Biometric Authentication: This covers authentication via fingerprint recognition, iris scanning, and facial recognition. Biometrics offer convenience and heightened security, as they are unique to each individual and difficult to replicate. As technology progresses, we can expect biometric authentication to become more widespread.
- Behavioral Biometrics: Emerging technologies aim to analyze user behavior patterns, such as typing speed, mouse movements, or device usage patterns, to establish a unique user profile. This can provide continuous authentication and enhance security without requiring explicit user action.
Some examples used today are:- Continuous Authentication Systems: These systems analyze typing patterns, mouse movements, and other behavioral traits in real-time to verify the user's identity continuously. If any suspicious behavior is detected, the system can prompt for additional authentication or take appropriate security measures.
- Mobile Authentication: Behavioral biometrics had gained traction for mobile authentication, leveraging touchscreen gestures, device orientation, and other mobile-specific behavioral patterns.
- Passwordless Authentication: Behavioral biometrics played a role in passwordless authentication methods. Instead of relying solely on passwords, these systems use various biometric factors, including behavioral biometrics, to verify users' identities. For instance, a user's unique typing pattern combined with their fingerprint or facial recognition can serve as a password replacement.
- Anti-Fraud and Anomaly Detection: Some security systems used behavioral biometrics to detect fraudulent activities and account takeover attempts. By continuously monitoring user behavior and establishing a baseline of normal behavior, the system could identify suspicious actions that deviated from the established patterns.
- User Experience Improvements: Behavioral biometrics were also applied to improve the user experience of traditional password-based systems. By using behavioral factors to validate the user's identity, it reduced the need for frequent password inputs or the use of additional authentication factors, streamlining the authentication process.
As we navigate the changing digital landscape, staying informed and adapting to emerging password trends is crucial. These are just a couple of examples of evolving changes that would be implemented to better secure account access and personal information.
If you have concerns about the current security of your business networks, contact PCS. We offer a Free 30-minute Technology Consultation to review your organization's infrastructure as well as ways to improve your overall security.