Managing a business means tracking hundreds of different online accounts. Cybersecurity best practices expect unique, complex passwords for every single one. That is a massive ask.
Recently, data from NordPass showed that the average number of passwords a person manages actually dropped, falling from 170 down to 120. On the business side, that number shrank from 87 work-related passwords down to about 67.
The study surveyed about 1,500 users over a couple of weeks, so the exact statistical significance might be debatable. However, the ultimate conclusion stands: people are walking away from traditional passwords in favor of something better.
Why Everyone is Sick of Passwords
Passwords are notoriously difficult to remember under the best of circumstances. As a result, users frequently slip into bad habits just to get through the workday.
Many computers end up with yellow sticky notes displaying sensitive access credentials, or notebooks stuffed right under a keyboard.
When staff members forget a login, they type it in, get it wrong, try a variation, and get locked out. A productive Tuesday morning gets completely derailed by a frustrating password reset cycle.
The modern shift toward password alternatives allows businesses to remain secure without compromising daily productivity.
Enter the Passkey
The strongest option right now is the passkey. It is a digital access credential that allows users to sign into websites or applications using device-based authentication instead of typed text.
Instead of remembering a random string of characters, users simply use a fingerprint scan, a facial scan, or a quick device PIN to log in.
This approach is fast and significantly safer. Because there is no actual text password being entered, there is nothing for a cybercriminal to intercept. If a phishing link is sent to an employee, there is no password for the employee to accidentally type out and give away.
Transitioning an entire network to passwordless authentication is not an overnight job, but the transition can be done in stages.
The best approach is to start small. Look at the most essential, heavily used cloud applications—like company email or primary line-of-business software—and see if they support passkeys. Turn them on there first. From there, implement multi-factor authentication across the board, leaning heavily on biometrics like fingerprints and facial recognition wherever possible.
The team will get into their tools faster, and the network will be significantly more secure.
To discuss how to safely roll this out for staff and streamline login processes, reach out to Coleman Technologies or call (604) 513-9428.
