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Security experts have re-emphasized that it’s almost 2023 and we’re still holding onto the password (opens in new tab) as our number one cybersecurity measure.
Despite a constant stream of headlines about companies suffering huge losses due to poor cyber hygiene practices, most employees are still reckless with their sensitive data, sharing it with other people or just keeping it for everyone to see.
Yubico’s survey of more than 16,000 employees across industries, and in eight countries, found that more than half (59%) still rely on usernames and passwords as their primary authentication method.
Multi-factor authentication
The company’s 2022 State of Global Enterprise Authentication Survey found that not only do people rely primarily on passwords, but 54% admit to writing down or sharing their passwords.
At the same time, almost a quarter (22%) consider passwords to be the most secure authentication method. More than half (54%) said they didn’t need regular cybersecurity training, while 57% admitted to using a business device for personal business.
The truth is that some are aware of the dangers of relying too much on passwords. Nearly two-thirds (61%) believe their organization should upgrade to multi-factor authentication, rising to four in five (79%).
Today, many companies are tackling the challenge of authentication and trying to send the passwords to the eternal hunting grounds and move on to better things. In early June of this year, Apple introduced the Passkey, a new authentication method described by the company’s Darin Adler as a “next-gen credential that’s more secure, easier to use, and aims to replace passwords for good.”
Passkeys use “powerful cryptographic techniques and the biometrics built into the device” to keep accounts secure, Adler explained, requiring users to simply use TouchID or FaceID to authenticate to a new web app, mobile app or service. to create a password.
Earlier this month, Microsoft introduced a new feature in Windows 11 that warns users when they type their password in certain apps, such as Notepad.