• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
    • Secure360
    • UMSA
    • Get Involved
  • Events
    • Secure360 2021
    • Student360
    • Past Events
      • 2020 Secure360 Twin Cities
      • 2020 Student360
      • 2019 Secure360 Twin Cities
      • 2019 Student360
      • 2018 Secure360 Twin Cities
      • 2018 Secure360 Wisconsin
      • 2018 Student360
      • 2017 Secure360 Twin Cities
      • 2017 Student360
      • 2016 TC Secure360 Conference
      • 2015 Secure360 Conference
      • 2014 Secure360 Conference
      • 2013 Secure360 Conference
        • 2013 Secure360 Conference Speaker Presentations
      • 2012 Secure360 Conference
  • For Sponsors
    • Secure360 Twin Cities
    • Student360 Sponsors
  • For Speakers
    • Secure360 Speaker Details
    • Student360 Speaker Details
  • Blog
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Vimeo

Secure360

Passwords: What’s the alternative?

December 6, 2013 by Secure360 and UMSA

passwordsWe all know the importance of setting strong passwords. We also know that “password” is still one of the most common passwords. And, even with strong passwords, breaches are also common. So, what’s the alternative? How do we protect ourselves from the insecurity of a mere password?

A small tech group has started Petition Against Passwords, insisting that it’s time to find a better way. Their reasons for the petition include a number of facts about passwords including:

  • 70% of users have forgotten at least one password in the last month.
  • 55% of security professionals don’t think passwords are secure.
  • 90% of internet users think their passwords are secure, but most are wrong.
  • There have been more than 1800 data breaches made public since January 2012.

They group is advocating for finding a secure convenient alternative to passwords. Unfortunately, nothing has surfaced that meets those criteria.

The password alternatives

Even Bill Gates was calling for the end of the password as far back as 2006. Gates suggest we need to move toward smartcards and authentication built into systems themselves. That wasn’t the first time Microsoft talked about eliminating passwords, but their first attempt to do so failed. Microsoft hasn’t come up with a viable replacement for passwords since.

There are more secure alternatives to passwords; unfortunately, they tend to be more expensive or difficult for users. Security experts have yet to agree on any viable alternatives.

Biometrics

One possibility is to use biometrics instead of passwords, fingerprints or facial scans. We already have the technology. However, the problem is that the technology hasn’t been built into common user devices such as most smartphones and tablets. To use biometrics with these types of devices usually means purchasing additional hardware, which is neither inexpensive nor convenient.

Still in experimentation mode

Electronic tattoos

Maybe one day your body art will be keeping you secure. Motorola recently showed off their electronic tattoo that’s ultra-thin and even wrinkles like real skin. The electronic tattoos are actually adhesive chips made up of sensors, LEDs, transistors, radio frequency capacitors, wireless antennas and conductive coils and solar cells for power. These chips are not ready for the market and are still in experimental stages.

Brainwave authentication

Thought based authentication that requires a headset and captures EEG signals is in the works. Recent research shows this is possible, but we’re a long ways from throwing out passwords because of this technology. Test results are interesting and further experimentation is being pursued, but this technology going mainstream is years in the future, optimistically.

Pills for passwords

Motorola is also working on a pill that, when swallowed, would turn your body into a password. Users would provide passwords to Motorola who would then create a custom pill with an electronic chip inside that turns your body into an authentication device. This one might be a bit tough to swallow. Critics suggest that this type of authentication could have hackers adding kidnapping to their resumes. I wouldn’t expect to see this pill on the market in 2014.

We may not be there yet, but the concept of a password is getting a lot of attention, and not just from cybercriminals. While some of these alternatives may seem bizarre today, creativity and concentration on solving the password problem will hopefully lead to stronger security for all of our online accounts in the future.

Filed Under: Cybersecurity

About Secure360 and UMSA

The Secure360 and UMSA team is made up of professionals in the security and risk management industries. Topics of expertise range from physical security, IT, risk management, cybersecurity, cloud, information security and records management.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Uncategorized
  • Guest Posts
  • Business Continuity Management
  • News and Events
  • Physical Security
  • Cybersecurity
  • Professional Development
  • Risk and Compliance

latest tweets

  1. Marketing Envy
    Marketing Envy: [New Blog] 2020 saw in-person conferences evaporate, but with vaccines rolling out, 2021 could be different. H… https://t.co/4YONwZNsDa
    about 18 hours ago

  2. Secure360 Conference
    Secure360 Conference: We are honored to be listed on the Top 20 Cyber Conferences for 2021 -> https://t.co/MnrQ3E5ifw
    about 2 days ago

  3. Secure360 Conference
    Secure360 Conference: Fascinating stuff about the shift from brick & mortar to e-commerce, from Diamond Sponsor @cisco! https://t.co/4GaYGQKZ1a
    about 4 days ago

Footer

Contact

For more information about UMSA events, contact: Marie Strawser

Email List Signup

Join our email list for monthly Secure360 news and updates!




Join our tradeshow email list for updates on sponsorship opportunities and upcoming exhibitor deadlines.

Sponsored by:
© 2021 Secure360. All rights reserved.