Open industry association FIDO Alliance has announced the launch of its online authentication barometer which tracks the uptake of authentication technologies among the general public.
The barometer provides baseline insights into the state of online authentication across 10 countries.

The organisation said that future releases of the barometer will be able to compare changes in behaviours and attitudes over time.

The barometer found that passwords are still the top authentication method for Brits, with 61 per cent using them to log into financial services accounts in the last 60 days

Biometrics are gaining traction, both in perception of security and usage — 44 per cent of UK consumers identifying it as the most secure authentication method. A further 37 per cent said they preferred this method, while 39 per cent are using the technology, which includes fingerprinting and face scans.

“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,” said Andrew Shikiar, executive director & chief marketing officer of the FIDO Alliance. “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.”

He added: “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.”

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