Traditional password authentication simply refers to a user authentication system that makes use of alphanumeric and keyboard special characters as passwords. This kind of password authentication is vulnerable to attacks and social engineering due to its simple nature.

As cyberattacks rise uncontrollably, one of the key topics to consider is the role of passwordless authentication in protecting organizations against cyber threats. But despite the use of strong passwords for authentication, there is a continuous limitation that makes them one of the most vulnerable in security arrangements.

One of the major problems with passwords is that they can be guessed or hacked accurately. A good number of people still make use of simple, easy-to-guess passwords. For example, they are individuals who use “12345” as a password. This can be cracked easily by hackers. Even more complex passwords can also be vulnerable to attack through techniques such as the brute force method, which involves trying every possible combination of characters until the correct password is found.

Alternative to Traditional Password

Globally, organizations are considering alternatives to passwords for more secure authentication to improve system security and reduce data breach incidents. In the rapidly evolving digital space, traditional passwords are seen as a vulnerability rather than a safeguard to system infrastructures. This has led to the development and adoption of several alternative authentication methods.

Here are a few notable password alternatives.

Biometric Authentication: Biometrics leverage a person’s behavioral traits for authentication, e.g., eye scans, fingerprints, facial and voice recognition. The adoption of biometric authentication is a result of the difficulty in replicating or stealing someone’s behavioral characteristics, making it a strong alternative.

Multi-factor authentication: This type of authentication requires multiple verification factors to access the resources. It is a combination of a password or PIN, security token, or biometrics. Sometimes, it involves a password. This helps to reduce the risk even if the password is compromised.

Emerging Passwordless Technologies

Traditional passwords have always been the normal authentication method. But currently, passwords have become insecure and, therefore, no longer fit the current needs of the digital landscape. With conventional passwords phasing out, here are the trends and new emerging technologies gaining traction in passwordless authentication.

Passkeys: Passkeys are digital credentials that are tied to a user account and a website. Passkey allows users to authenticate without entering a username or password or any form of additional authentication factor. How does it work? When you log in to your passkey-enabled account, your authenticator communicates to authenticate your login without exchanging any secret that may be vulnerable to hackers.

The Power of Blockchain-Powered Authentication

Blockchain technology is transforming the way we authenticate identities by offering a secure, decentralized, and tamper-proof platform. By utilizing advanced cryptography, blockchain-based authentication creates unalterable records of user identities, transactions, and access rights. This approach not only strengthens security and privacy but also gives users more control over their identities, ultimately enabling seamless passwordless authentication in decentralized systems.

Contextual Authentication

Contextual authentication uses advanced analytics to evaluate authentication attempts based on factors like location, device, and user behavior. By harnessing AI and machine learning, these systems adjust security requirements in real time, balancing convenience with risk. This approach enables a seamless user experience while maintaining robust security. When combined with passwordless authentication, contextual authentication adds an extra layer of protection without adding complexity for users.

Benefits of Passwordless Authentication

• Passwordless authentication is more secure because it removes the risks associated with traditional passwords.
• Passwordless authentication provides a better user experience since it removes the pain of people remembering multiple passwords.
• It reduces cost.
• Passwordless authentication also enhances productivity.

Challenges of Passwordless Authentication

Deployment cost: Passwordless authentication requires step-by-step measures to install new software and hardware and train employees on how to navigate them.

Security Limitations: With passwordless authentication, threats such as malware and man-in-the-browser attacks are very much possible. For example, one-time passcodes (OTPs) can be intercepted by malware installed by hackers.

In the ever-evolving digital ecosystem, it is imperative organizations protect their IT resources with passwordless authentication that has been proven to be more secure against any form of cyber threats.