According to Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report, 80% of breaches stem from compromised credentials. While passwords were meant to protect us, they’ve instead become one of our biggest vulnerabilities.
They’re forgotten, reused, shared, or worst of all, stolen. In industries where fast, secure access is critical — industries like healthcare, manufacturing, finance — they slow down work and open the door to risk. Password fatigue is real, and it’s costing organizations time, money, and security.
The solution is clear: it’s time to move away from passwords. Passwordless authentication makes that possible.
What it means to go passwordless
Passwordless authentication replaces passwords with safer, simpler ways to verify identity. Instead of entering a string of characters, users tap a badge, authenticate with a fingerprint or face scan, or approve a login on their phone. On top of being more secure, these methods are also faster and easier to use.
Compare that to traditional password-based systems. Users are expected to remember complex passwords across multiple platforms. This opens the door to lost productivity, data breaches, and a host of other problems.
Passwordless approaches eliminate that weak point entirely. Multifactor authentication (MFA) combines factors for stronger security, single sign-on (SSO) reduces password burden and risks associated with passwords, and fast identity online (FIDO) authentication increases resistance to phishing techniques. It all adds up to organizations getting strong security while reducing friction.
Industries where passwordless authentication can make an impact
Healthcare workers move quickly between patients and shared workstations. Logging in dozens of times a day adds up. Delays are frustrating and can affect patient care. Biometric authentication solves that, giving clinicians immediate access without compromising security.
Manufacturing teams often juggle both operational technology (OT) and IT systems. Many of these platforms weren’t built to work together, and legacy tools make authentication even harder. Mobile authentication and SSO give frontline workers access without jumping through hoops.
Regulated sectors such as governments, financial services, and others face similar challenges. Sensitive data, mobile workforces, and compliance demands all require strong, efficient access controls. Passwordless authentication delivers all of that.
The benefits of passwordless authentication
Security is the most obvious benefit of switching to passwordless authentication. Without passwords to steal or phish, attackers lose one of their favorite tools. Biometric and mobile authentication methods are harder to compromise.
Removing passwords from the equation also simplifies life for users and IT teams alike. Now they can focus on bigger issues like optimizing systems, improving security, and supporting growth.
Compliance becomes easier. MFA support, audit logs, and tighter access controls provide all the documentation and guardrails one might need for HIPAA, CMMC, CJIS, NIST, and more.
A smarter way forward: IT optimization benefits of passwordless authentication
Solutions like Imprivata Enterprise Access Management Analytics leverage data analytics and machine learning to provide insights into access patterns and potential security threats. These insights can help mitigate risks, optimize existing technologies, and improve overall security posture.
Passwordless authentication also optimizes IT operations. IT teams spend less time on password management and more time on strategic projects. This shift in focus can lead to significant operational improvements and better resource allocation.
Getting started
Transitioning to a passwordless environment requires a well-planned approach. Here are the key steps to get started:
- Assess your IT environment. Evaluate the devices, workstations, and applications that users need to access.
- Identify high-impact, high-friction workflows. Pinpoint the workflows that are causing the most friction and have the highest impact on productivity.
- Select interoperable passwordless tools. Choose passwordless tools that can seamlessly integrate with your existing IT and OT ecosystems, including legacy, on-prem, and cloud applications.
- Ensure compliance and audit capabilities. Verify that the passwordless solutions you choose support MFA compliance requirements and provide robust audit capabilities.
- Opt for user-friendly workflows. Choose passwordless workflows that are intuitive and user-friendly. Conduct user testing and gather feedback to make necessary adjustments and optimize user adoption.
A better future without passwords
Organizations don’t need more password rules. They need an entirely new approach that keeps them secure and works better for their people.
Removing one of the weakest links in digital security can help reduce risk, cut down on support issues, and give people a faster, better way to get work done.
What’s the next step for your organization? Evaluate your current workflows and start building your passwordless authentication roadmap. To learn more, download our white paper about the benefits of going passwordless.
