FIDO Alliance research tracks passwordless authentication in the UK

By Joy Dumasia

FIDO Alliance has launched its Online Authentication Barometer to track the uptake of secure authentication technologies among the general public. The Online Authentication Barometer provides baseline insights into the state of online authentication in 10 countries across the globe, with future releases of the barometer able to compare changes in behaviours and attitudes over time.

The UK reveals that biometrics, such as fingerprints and face scans, are used by at least 39% of people and are the most popular form of online authentication behind passwords. The barometer highlights how the adoption of biometrics for online authentication varies widely internationally, yet all countries surveyed reported at least 25% of the population are using biometrics in some capacity.

Biometrics is the most popular of these possession-based and password-free authentication options, and data from the barometer reveals why. Biometrics are perceived to be the most secure way for people to verify their identity online – 44% of Brits believe this, a trend that holds in all ten countries the Online Authentication Barometer explored. Biometrics are also the most preferred method of logging in for 37% of Brits.

Andrew Shikiar, Executive Director & CMO of the FIDO Alliance, said: “Time and time again, we see data breaches, ransomware and other attacks that leverage vulnerabilities associated with passwords and other ‘what you know’ forms of authentication — including OTPs as a second factor. The industry at large must shift towards possession-based factors such as biometrics and security keys that are not susceptible to remote attacks such as phishing, credential stuffing and various forms of social engineering that frankly are difficult if not impossible for the average user to detect. We are pleased to establish and share the Online Authentication Barometer as a mechanism to track our collective progress towards a safer and more secure networked economy.”