The Passwordless World Is Here. Is Your Business Part of It?

It’s time to say farewell to access fatigue, and more importantly, say farewell to a major workplace hazard — passwords! Organizations are quickly dropping the risky practice of using only passwords, and picking up the intuitive, seamless routine of secure identity authentication based on RFID technology, including multi-factor authentication.

We all appreciate the convenience of waving our digital devices in front of a contactless reader to pay for goods around town or before boarding an airplane. Now that innate maneuver is being promoted to business settings — expanding the possibilities of the connected workplace and transferring digital intelligence into new everyday areas we have never before experienced.

RFID technology embedded into digital or physical badges (e.g., saved in a mobile wallet on our phones/wearables or in traditional corporate form such as an ID card) is extremely efficient, can be hands-free, and is an effortless method for unlocking and granting authorized access to various physical places and digital spaces. The simple wave of a card or device in front of an RFID reader prompts smart entry for numerous use cases across workplace settings — and the flexibility of RFID technology allows for impressive levels of customization. 

One of the biggest benefits on the path to a passwordless world is that the layers of identity authentication designed to decrease risk also propel the user experience. As password use fades, a single trusted identity — like an RFID access card, mobile app or wearable — can be the key that delivers fluidity and employee harmony across your premises.

Here are just some of the use cases today that are driving passwordless authentication, intelligence and accountability across everyday office scenarios:

1. Parking Garage Access — With a touch of their smart card or even their mobile credential, trusted identities are granted entrance to parking garages
2. Building Access — Quickly allow authorized identities into a facility while keeping others safely beyond the perimeter
3. Time & Attendance — Accurate proof of presence to reduce payroll errors and secure employment records
4. Visitor Management — Ensure the correct access for every visitor while automating sign-in, reducing wait times and increasing security
5. EV Charging — The same credential that granted garage entry can also enable the use of electronic vehicle charging stations
6. Smart Lockers — Access lockers with the same credential used for building access without the nuisance of physical keys or PIN codes
7. Elevator Access — RFID readers can limit access to trusted identities within a building, improving flow and security at internal doors, turnstiles and elevators
8. Workstation Sign-On — Smart cards, mobile credentials and biometrics can all be used for simple and secure sign-on at any workstation
9. Secure Print — With secure print, print jobs are not released until the authorized individual uses their credential at the printer of their choice
10. Cashless Cafeterias — Employees can leave their wallets at home and pay for cafeteria and vending purchases with their trusted identity

Imagine the additional applications your company can wrap simple, secure access around to eliminate passwords in a flash, or to add authentication capabilities to formerly static systems or “devices.” As the Internet of Things (IoT) progresses, more and more use cases will arise, and by simply attaching RFID readers or embedded modules to evolve with innovation, companies can preserve tech investments while easily adding secure identity authentication to ebb and flow with IT/IoT requirements.

Learn about today’s three critical access acronyms — SSO (single sign-on), MFA (multi-factor authentication) and FIDO (Fast Identity Online), and how to cast simple, easy-to-expand RFID access across your own connected workplace in our eBook, Pivot to a Passwordless World.

Are you ready to literally wave away passwords and elevate your organization’s defense plans? Let’s connect!

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Helmut has been in the security business for more than 25 years in various management roles for some of the leading suppliers of a broad range of security solutions. He also holds some patents. Within the last 20 years he has successfully led different engineering, global product management and marketing teams. His portfolio includes one of the first VPN products ever as well as solutions for HW-based encryption solutions in combination with RFID technologies managed by his various teams. He has been with HID now for more than 10 years with a focus on RFID technologies, and is used to challenging the status quo in seeking more customer-friendly solutions and services.