Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) is the most common user identification practice of many companies across various industries. This method requires users to identify themselves using private information. The service grants them access if their details match the data provided during registration.
Nearly all websites and mobile applications employ passwords as the primary user identification. Apart from passwords, companies can also authenticate individuals through a one-time password (OTP), personal identification number (PIN), or secret questions.
Unfortunately, reliance on KBA is not enough to prevent fraudsters from performing their illicit activities. Technological advancements taught bad actors to become tech-savvy, effectively enabling them to overcome passphrase-based security and other knowledge-focused login credentials.
Because passwords are more vulnerable to attacks, following robust authentication standards like FIDO2 can improve a company's overall digital safety. They can implement these guidelines to provide a more secure, reliable, and seamless sign-in experience.
The Rise of FIDO Authentication
Online identity verification through passwords is commonplace. However, easy-to-guess passcodes make it easier for hackers to predict the victim's login information. Google found that 24% of Americans use basic alpha-numeric variations for verification. The study also revealed that U.S. adults incorporate personal information to sign-in credentials, with 59% using their names or birthdays.
Users are also at risk of getting hacked when reusing the same password across multiple platforms. Cybercriminals can use stolen credentials to access the user's other accounts. LastPass reported that 92% of users still reuse identical passphrases despite knowing the danger it poses to their digital security.
The Fast Identity Online (FIDO) Alliance advocates for implementing stronger, phish-resistant security practices. They developed the Universal Authentication Framework (UAF), Universal Second Factor (U2F), and FIDO2 to eliminate the use of passwords in the digital space. Going passwordless strengthens security by eradicating risky password management practices and improves the user experience by putting an end to memorizing passphrases.
Due to the growing concern regarding the password's vulnerability to phishing and guessing, more businesses worldwide have gone non-passcode. From more than $12 billion in 2021, the passwordless identification market size's value was forecasted to grow by over $53 billion in 2030. Given the need for increased security, integrating FIDO2 passwordless authentication can empower companies with a safer and user-friendly online space.
FIDO Authentication for Secure Login Experience
FIDO's passwordless authentication UX reduces the risk of login credentials being stolen by criminals or accidentally shared by owners. FIDO2 involves public-key cryptography that generates passkeys during a one-time registration period. To get their public-private key pair, users will undergo a step-by-step procedure.
The setup starts with the users filling in appropriate registration forms in the FIDO-supported website or application. Then, registrants must choose their preferred FIDO2 security, such as a fingerprint reader or other authentication method accepted by the online service's policy. Once done, the service generates a pair of cryptographic keys to complete the registration process. The public key returns to the online platform for later logins, while the private key stays on the user's device.
Sharing FIDO credentials is impossible because the private key and biometric information remain permanently on the user’s device. This means that authentication is only possible if the person possessing the authenticator is present. The public key is responsible for verifying the sign-in attempt. Failure to exhibit the correct biometric data during login prompts the server to deny the account access.
Users can log into multiple supported websites without friction using FIDO WebAuthn or other application program interfaces (APIs). The risk of a potential attack with FIDO2 is low because passkeys are end-to-end encrypted, making access to sensitive information harder for fraudsters and thieves.
Additionally, culprits cannot derive the private key from the online site as it is always kept in the user's device and never stored on a server. But stealing the device will not put the account in danger. FIDO protocols require biometric authentication to confirm if the user on the other end is the legitimate account owner.
Biometric Authentication as Password Replacement
The 2022 Global Identity and Fraud Report disclosed that 90% of businesses view fraud as a mid-to-high concern. It also added that 70% of companies across various industries had increased worries about fraudulent activities in the last 12 months. Entities will face various issues if data breaches or account takeovers happen, including paying hefty fees and facing legal penalties.
Organizations need to enhance their real-time fraud prevention system to address this concern. FIDO2 biometric authentication can help companies combat fraud and other online crimes. With an almost 18% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), the global biometrics market is projected to hit more than $74 billion by 2027. Per the IMARC Group, biometrics systems continuously gain traction because they are easy to use and implement while providing high-end security.
Biometric-based authentication eliminates the user’s need to create and memorize passwords. Through this passwordless solution, users only have to make a quick facial scan or fingerprint scan to prove account ownership. As biometrics are unique to each individual, duplicating them to force entry is hard.
Choosing the best biometric user verification scheme for the company can be easier by tapping a trusted e-security provider. This way, the business can provide a better login experience for customers.
LoginID Solutions for Implementing FIDO Authentication
Modern technology has provided businesses with limitless options to streamline their processes. It allows organizations to deliver better services and accommodate more people remotely.
Unfortunately, technology also enabled bad actors to execute unlawful acts in a more advanced manner. Cybercriminals developed various ways to steal login credentials resulting in the rise of fraud crimes rooted in weak passwords. The emergence of FIDO standards opened the door for organizations to combat these threats by implementing passwordless authentication.
Biometric identification has empowered companies to authenticate their users better. With it, consumers and employees no longer need to type letters, numbers, or symbol combinations. Instead, they use their biometrics to confirm their identity. Organizations can look for reputable companies, like LoginID, to assist them in integrating FIDO-based passwordless authentication into their operations.
LoginID's FIDO solutions, such as biometric digital signature, are easy to integrate across multi-channels, operating systems, and platforms and reduce friction during signing-in processes. Their FIDO-supported products also offer strong authentication to provide high-level identity verification for businesses.
To learn how LoginID can help, contact our experts today at sales@loginid.io. Or you may also register for a free account to get immediate access to LoginID's authentication solution.
Alternatively if you'd like to try it yourself, check out our documentation.
Sources:
- https://storage.googleapis.com/gweb-uniblog-publish-prod/documents/PasswordCheckup-HarrisPoll-InfographicFINAL.pdf
- https://fidoalliance.org/overview/history/
- https://fidoalliance.org/overview/
- https://fidoalliance.org/fido2-2/fido2-web-authentication-webauthn/
- https://developers.google.com/identity/fido
- https://hideez.com/blogs/news/fido2-explained
- https://www.experian.com/content/dam/marketing/na/global-da/pdfs/GIDFR_2022.pdf
- https://www.imarcgroup.com/biometrics-market
- https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/biometrics