Using passwords as a form of authentication to gain access to resources is considered the norm. Many of us have multiple passwords we remember on a daily basis that we use to access to our personal accounts. A recent survey done by GIGYA on 4,000 adults in the US and UK however showed that within certain age groups next-generation authentication methods were becoming ever more popular.
After all password protection can sometimes be a real pain. The procedure to re set your password can be long and tedious, especially if the site you’re trying to gain access to needs you to answer security questions or input a reset code. Fifty two percent of people surveyed said they would completely overhaul the use of username and passwords in favour of other forms of authentication. Millennials were the most welcoming to change with fifty percent of the people surveyed saying they had already used a form of biometric authentication. Sixty six percent of millennials also admitted to owning one or more device that integrates with biometric technology compared to forty eight percent of gen x and thirty percent of baby boomers. With more devices allowing for biometric authentication Jupiter research group estimate that more than 770 million biometric enabled applications per year will be downloaded by 2019 this is a significant increase compared to the 6 million in 2015.
Biometric authentication is definitely on the rise and for obvious reasons. Using one’s finger or face as a means to access what we need is not only quick but also more convenient. No one wants to have to remember an absurd amount of usernames and passwords or spend the time answering questions when they are forgotten. Password authentication is also not the most secure method. Many people choose to use the same password for multiple accounts or use a personalised one they are less likely to forget. The problem with this is that accounts can easily be hacked by hackers with a bit of time on their hands. Companies who use password authentications are sometimes not the most secure either. Even huge companies such as Apple and Microsoft have found themselves in the past fall victims of a data breach. Biometric systems are more secure than passwords as they require your personal touch. Access is only granted when you scan your fingerprint or face making it almost impossible for someone who isn’t you to gain access. Eighty percent of people that took part in the survey agree that biometric systems are more secure.
Biometrics within business
With next generation authentication methods on the rise its imperative businesses stay on top of the trend. The implementation of a biometric access control system into your organisation will revolutionise the way you’re employee’s clock rendering old punch code systems useless. Biometric systems can be set up to allow access on a door by door basis. Access can be limited to certain times and days. Employee access can also be limited to certain areas of an organisation.
For more information on what access control can do for your organisation and the available solutions contact us today!