In the realm of cybersecurity, passwords have long been considered a weak point in authentication systems, creating vulnerabilities for both workforce and customer accounts. The traditional reliance on passwords has made these accounts prime targets for cybercriminals looking to exploit this known vulnerability. However, organizations are increasingly turning to passwordless authentication as a means to enhance security and protect end-user accounts from potential breaches.
By migrating to passwordless authentication, organizations can achieve an easy win in strengthening their cybersecurity defenses. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) by adding tokens or biometrics alongside legacy passwords can help reduce the risks of account takeovers. Yet, organizations that continue to depend solely on passwords, even as part of MFA, remain less secure compared to those that adopt passwordless methods.
The landscape of passwordless methods and flows offers a variety of options that can be easily implemented across different use cases for both workforce and customer authentication. While some use cases may present challenges that require additional investment, the benefits of migrating to passwordless authentication far outweigh the initial hurdles. It is crucial for security leaders to prioritize this migration to enhance security measures and improve user experience.
To assist organizations in maximizing security improvements in the near term, a three-phase approach has been outlined:
1. Plan a phased migration to passwordless:
The initial phase involves collaborating with stakeholders in cybersecurity and across the business to plan the migration. This includes identifying current use cases that rely on passwords, defining target states based on security and user experience goals, determining preferences for different methods and flows, and creating a roadmap for workforce and customer use cases.
2. Embrace out-of-the-box options and focus on supported use cases:
Security leaders are encouraged to leverage existing infrastructure, such as endpoint devices like smartphones, tablets, and PCs, as well as identity and access management tools. By exploiting these options, organizations can quickly realize benefits without the need for additional technology investments. Different use cases for customer and workforce authentication have varying requirements, including UX optimization, strong customer authentication, and phishing-resistant MFA.
3. Invest further when existing tools cannot solve all use cases:
In instances where out-of-the-box options fall short of meeting specific needs, further investment may be necessary. This could involve bridging tools for legacy applications, investing in additional methods for preferred approaches, or seeking new tools to address technical constraints or high implementation overheads. Security leaders must carefully evaluate where investments are needed to optimize user experience and address remaining security risks.
Overall, the shift towards passwordless authentication represents a critical step in fortifying cybersecurity defenses and safeguarding sensitive information. By following a strategic approach and investing in the right tools and technologies, organizations can enhance security while providing a seamless and secure user experience.