Security Staff Are Adopting Biometrics But Can Do More to Eliminate the Password

Security Staff Are Adopting Biometrics But Can Do More to Eliminate the Password

A survey found that security professionals are making the move to biometrics, but that they could be doing more to protect data.

A study done at the RSA security conference last week found that security professionals are starting to switch over to biometric authentication, but that more can be done to protect data through the use of passwords.

The poll was done by Veridium Ltd., and found that nearly half of respondents said they're now using biometrics for two to three applications, but only five percent said they're now using it for seven to 10 applications. None of the security pros said they were using biometrics to authorize access to over 11 or more apps.

The survey also found that 56 percent of respondents rely on password mangers to help them remember passwords and nearly 30 percent use 21 or more passwords at any given time.

Some 41 percent of respondents who took the survey at RSA said that they would like to use biometrics the most for work, while 93 percent agreed that there should be greater legislative restrictions around biometric privacy and data.

“Results from the security audience demonstrated why we need to eliminate passwords and how biometrics can ensure consumer data privacy,” a spokesperson for Veridium said. “With password managers full of countless keyword variations and the majority of respondents putting biometrics to use only across two to three applications, there’s a need for stronger, more engrained authentication options.”

Discussing the findings and his time spent at the RSA Conference, Chief Executive Officer James Stickland said that many conversations focused on security for application programming interfaces, which should be a bigger focus in the next year.

“Security is now, more than ever, ‘identity-centric,’ focusing on the individual rather than the broader enterprise – with employees acting as the ‘perimeter of their business,’” he said. “It’s critical that organizations secure their data, implement data-driven policies and authenticate individual access to the enterprise.”

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

  • DHS to End ‘Shoes-Off’ Travel Policy

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a new policy today which will allow passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints. Read Now

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.