View all newsletters
Receive our newsletter - data, insights and analysis delivered to you

The end is nigh for usernames and passwords

Consumers are losing faith in the ability of passwords and usernames to protect them from hackers.

By James Nunns

Consumers are looking for alternatives to passwords and usernames in order to protect their security on the Internet.

Growing concerns over the ability of traditional methods to protect consumers from hackers is resulting in alternative methods such as biometric technologies becoming more sought after.

The views of consumers suggest that a change in practices from the traditional username and password approach may be required, as 60% felt that the traditional methods were cumbersome.

A report from Accenture, Digital Trust in the IoT Era, revealed that 77% are now interested in using alternative ways of protecting their security.

The openness to alternative methods is more prevalent in countries such as China (92%) and India (84%), while 74% in the U.S are willing to consider alternatives.

The research suggests that the traditional security model may soon become obsolete due to frustration related to their reliability for protecting personal data.

Robin Murdock, MD, Internet and Social business segment, Accenture, said: "As hackers use more-sophisticated and less-obvious methods, passwords are no longer seen as the definitive answers to the security question."

Content from our partners
Scan and deliver
GenAI cybersecurity: "A super-human analyst, with a brain the size of a planet."
Cloud, AI, and cyber security – highlights from DTX Manchester

"Traditional one-step passwords are now being matched with alternative methods using biometric technologies such as fingerprint recognition and two-step device verification. Within the next few years we are likely to see many more consumers embracing these and other alternative methods."

Globally, consumers are lacking confidence in the security of their personal data, with only 46% feeling secure.

Accenture’s survey polled 24,000 consumers across 24 countries including the UK, U.S, France, Germany, India and China.

Websites in our network
Select and enter your corporate email address Tech Monitor's research, insight and analysis examines the frontiers of digital transformation to help tech leaders navigate the future. Our Changelog newsletter delivers our best work to your inbox every week.
  • CIO
  • CTO
  • CISO
  • CSO
  • CFO
  • CDO
  • CEO
  • Architect Founder
  • MD
  • Director
  • Manager
  • Other
Visit our privacy policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
THANK YOU