Passwords were invented to protect things; to make systems more secure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But today? That is no longer the case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of a reliable defense, passwords have become one of the weakest links in cybersecurity. Managed service providers (MSPs) face this struggle more than most. They manage countless user credentials, endless reset requests, and defend against password-related breaches across their clientele. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cybercriminals are getting smarter. Their ability to exploit weak or reused passwords is a growing threat to the integrity of client systems. Luckily, passwordless authentication provides a more secure alternative to using traditional passwords. Let\u2019s explore why passwords are problematic for your business, how you can benefit from passwordless authentication, and how to implement it successfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you guess the most common password in the world? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your guess is probably right. According to Cybernews<\/a> it is \u201c123456\u201d. While it\u2019s almost impossible to use such a password today due to password policies, weak passwords still lead to data breaches for many users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, weak passwords were the reason why 30%<\/a> of internet users have experienced data breaches. For MSPs, making sure this never happens to their client is often the part of the deal. However, cyberattacks are more sophisticated than ever, which makes traditional password-based systems inefficient and risky. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the key reasons why as an MSP you should start rethinking about your password strategy for your clients:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many users continue to use weak passwords. Despite password policies, clients often reuse passwords across multiple platforms. They also create new ones that don\u2019t meet security standards. If a system or app isn’t managed, the MSP may not have any control over the matter. This leaves gaps in client security postures that open the door to brute-force attacks and credential stuffing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 57%<\/a> of organizations go through phishing attempts on a weekly or daily basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Passwords are often the primary targets for attackers. They focus on credential theft largely through phishing attacks. Therefore organizations that don\u2019t implement passwordless authentication are under higher risk of these attacks. Regardless of the amount of security training you put in place, passwords will always be a risk if they are still in the equation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Managing client password resets, account lockouts, and other passwords-related tickets consumes a significant amount of an MSPs\u2019 time. This could be used for more critical tasks and strategic IT management instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compliance regulations like HIPAA<\/strong>, PCI-DSS<\/strong>, GDPR<\/strong>, and SOX<\/strong> mandate stringent guidelines around password policies. Ensuring all client environments meet these requirements can be a challenge, especially when each regulation has its own set of rules. On top of that, if you have multiple clients across different industries, it becomes even more difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To err is human. Even when password policies are in place, human error leads to security risks. End users might bypass your policies (e.g. using personal information or predictable patterns in passwords) or fall victim to phishing attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suggested reading:<\/em> <\/em>Best Practices for IT Password Security<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWeak password practices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Credential theft and phishing attacks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Password-related support ticket overload<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Compliance risks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Security gaps due to human error<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is Passwordless Authentication?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n