Hackers are becoming increasingly active as they look to gain access to the growing value of information available online. The first line of defence, “the password” is already falling as new research shows that 90% of all user made passwords will be vulnerable to hacking in 2013.
Research conducted by global consultancy firm Deloitte has revealed that even passwords felt to be strong by IT departments will become vulnerable as people fail to remember them. The consultancy even warned that inadequate password protection can result in billions of dollars’ worth of losses for firms while recommending increased identification measures.
Deloitte recommended two-factor authentication as the best bet for firms to protect their employee and customer information from hackers. With online information becoming increasingly sensitive and valuable it is more important than ever for firms as well as users to protect their data.
Jolyon Barker, global lead for Deloitte’s technology, media and telecommunications industry, said:
“Whilst moving to stronger, longer passwords means greater levels of security, people understandably find these harder to remember.”
Adding further he said:
“Instead an additional bit of identification can be used. It could be a password sent to a cell phone or smartphone, a physical device that plugs into a USB slot, or possibly be a biometric feature of the user.”
The report also refuted the expectations of a beginning for the post PC era where tablets and smartphones become responsible for the bulk of internet traffic. Instead Deloitte’s report suggests the advent of a PC Plus era where the desktop is still responsible for the vast majority of internet traffic.
Source: Business Insider