Password-less security: The future of authentication

Many of us, even today, use passwords to access several services online. But, by this time, we also know the challenges that come with using passwords. We keep reading endless news reports about rampant password thefts and how accounts get compromised with not just customer data, but also money, getting stolen—and much more.

Challenges with passwords, multi-factor authentication

Today, with innumerable services being available, users are overwhelmed with accounts and passwords that they have to remember. Not only are passwords easily compromised, but they are also difficult to manage. They even cost a lot of money since they take up plenty of help-desk support time. A survey report reveals that 62 per cent of respondents experienced extreme frustration because of password lockouts. This is also because lockouts hamper productivity and add to poor user login experiences.

Then, there is multi-factor authentication (MFA), where one uses several factors for user verification. The multi-factor authentication method was employed to strengthen the authentication process because it added possession-based authentication to knowledge-based authentication. Although MFA is an improvement over traditional password-based authentication, it has its own security challenges. Verification messages sent over e-mail can be easily intercepted by third parties and SMS-based MFA faces the risk of SIM swapping and so on.

This is where Fast Identity Online (FIDO) password-less authentication becomes important because it is more securing than either password-based authentication or MFA. FIDO password-less authentication eliminates friction from the process, too. This is because, with it, users just have to look at their phone’s camera, or swipe their finger, or enter a PIN.

Password-less authentication

These high-level security methods can either be a magic link, fingerprint and so forth that are delivered over a text or e-mail message. They remove the need for generating passwords to gain access to systems. Using such authentication methods will make your website or application more safe and user-friendly.

Benefits of password-less authentication

Better experience: For accessing business e-mail messages through fingerprint scanning on an application, users do not have to memorize their passwords any longer. This also leads to improved screen-time experience.

Stronger security: Passwords controlled by users are vulnerable to attacks—such as corporate account takeovers, brute-force attacks and so on. So, with no passwords to abuse, users will not get into trouble when they use applications developed by you.

Improved convenience: Users would never want to choose complex passwords that are difficult to remember when they can have better options with password-less authentication. So, you can provide users added convenience while they try to access any service or information that they want.

Types of password-less authentication

E-mail: Users have to provide their e-mail address to receive a magic link or unique code to log in.

SMS: A phone number is needed to receive a unique, one-time code to gain access.

Biometric: Fingerprint scanning, iris scanning, or face scanning is required to log in.

You can find many services and APIs available online for leveraging password-less authentication and combine it with your application and not waste time and money creating solutions in-house. They are cost-effective, save development time and provide great security by just paying a small fee; some are even available for free!

How it works?

Password-less authentication uses digital certificates, which include cryptographic key pairings. A private key is stored on the device of a user linked to the authentication factor, such as fingerprint, face recognition or unique PIN. At the same time, the public key moves to the particular application or website the user wants to access. So, it would be much better if you decided to use password-less authentication in your applications or website.

-- Shibu Paul, Array Networks.