Many companies still use passwords to keep themselves secure

Many companies still use passwords to keep themselves secure

Security experts have once again pointed out that it is almost 2023 and we still hold password (opens in a new tab) as our number one cybersecurity measure.

Despite a steady 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 others or simply keeping it out in the open.

Yubico's research surveyed more than 16 employees across industries and across eight countries, more than half (000%) still trust usernames and passwords as their primary method of authentication.

Multi-factor authentication

The company's 2022 Global Enterprise Authentication State Survey found that not only do people primarily trust passwords, but 54% also admitted to writing 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 are not required to receive regular cybersecurity training, while 57% admitted to using a corporate device for personal business.

In truth, some are aware of the dangers posed by an overreliance on passwords. Nearly two-thirds (61%) think their organization should move to multi-factor authentication, and that number rises to four in five (79%) among VPs.

These days, many companies are taking up the authentication challenge, trying to send passwords to the eternal hunting grounds and moving on to better things. In early June of this year, Apple introduced Password, a new authentication method described by the company's Darin Adler as a "next-generation credential that's more secure, easier to use, and aimed to permanently replace passwords."

The access keys use "strong cryptographic techniques and on-device biometrics" to keep accounts secure, Adler explained, and users simply need to use TouchID or FaceID to authenticate to a new web app, mobile app or service to create a master key. .

Earlier this month, Microsoft introduced a new feature in Windows 11 that warns users when they type their passwords in certain apps, like Notepad, for example.