The End of Passwords? A Look at the Future of Authentication

For years, passwords have been the default method to secure our online accounts. They’re simple to create and easy to use—but those same qualities are also their greatest weaknesses. In a time of sophisticated phishing attacks and constant data breaches, passwords alone are no longer enough.

Fortunately, emerging technologies like passkeys, biometrics, and MFA are stepping in to fill the gaps. By offering more powerful yet user-friendly ways to authenticate, they’re setting the stage for a shift in how we protect our online lives. 

Though it seems unlikely for passwords to disappear overnight, we’re already moving toward a world where they play a much smaller role.

History of (Digital) Passwords

Passwords started small but quickly became a critical part of digital security. Here’s how they got there:

• 1960s—First Passwords: Passwords were introduced in 1961 with the Compatible Time-Sharing System (CTSS) at MIT. Each user had a unique password to access their allotted computing time. This was also the time of the first password breach, which happened when an MIT researcher hacked the CTSS system to gain access to more computing time.
• 1970s—Password Hashing: Researchers begin using hashing techniques to store passwords securely.
• 1980s—Password Policies Emerge: More widespread password use leads to the development of simple password policies, such as minimum length and complexity requirements.
• 1990s—The Birth of Password Managers: As internet use explodes, password managers appear, helping users store multiple credentials securely.
• 2000s—Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Early forms of MFA are introduced, combining passwords with SMS codes, hardware tokens, or biometrics.
• 2010s—Password Overload: The average user manages dozens of passwords as online services grow. This leads to widespread reuse and vulnerability to data breaches.
• 2020s—Growth of Passwordless Authentication: Cryptographic passkeys gain traction as secure, user-friendly alternatives to traditional passwords.

Why Alternatives to Passwords Are Gaining Momentum

Although passwords have long been a cornerstone of our digital security, their limitations are becoming increasingly apparent. From the security risks to the financial costs, the cracks in this system are starting to deepen.

Security Risks

Passwords themselves aren’t necessarily the real issue, so much as the humans who use them. Case in point, the most popular password globally is still “123456”. Simple passwords leave users open to brute-force attacks, while some services force complex password rules on people which only leads to re-use across other accounts.

In fact, according to a Google/Harris poll from 2019, 52% of people reuse the same password across multiple accounts. This means that, even if a password in isolation is very secure, it only has to be exposed in a single breach to then be usable by criminals across multiple other accounts (known as credential stuffing).

Of course, it’s understandable why people choose the easiest (less secure) route when it comes to passwords. An average internet user now has login details for well over 100 online services, all of which require a password. I know that if I wasn’t using a password manager, there’s no way I’d remember more than a couple of my passwords. 

Instead of blaming users, it seems like it might be time to realize that these annoyances are compromising security for everyone.

Financial Costs

For businesses, relying on passwords isn’t just a security cost, but a monetary one. Password resets—an everyday occurrence for IT teams—are estimated to cost companies $70 per reset on average. This adds up quickly in large organizations where employees regularly forget or mismanage their credentials (to the tune of over $1 million annually). 

Beyond the monetary cost, this process also leads to productivity losses, with employees locked out of systems and having to wait for assistance. 

According to a Gartner study, employees locked out of work systems typically wait anywhere from 20 minutes to 1.5 hours for support. If you assume this happens a couple of times a year to each employee across an organization, you’re looking at hundreds of hours that could have been spent productively.

Modern Alternatives: Passkeys, Multi-Factor Authentication, and Biometrics

So while passwords have their issues, are there any better alternatives? Thankfully, yes. In fact, some of them are likely to completely reshape how we think about our logins and digital security as a whole.

Passkeys

Imagine a world where you never have to remember a password again. That’s the promise of passkeys. Instead of relying on passwords, passkeys use cryptographic keys stored on your device to log you in. Pair your smartphone, computer, or password manager with a trusted service, and there you have it—password-free access.

Even better, passkeys are incredibly secure against phishing attacks. Since they don’t involve you typing in your login details, scammers can’t trick you into giving them away. Combined with not having to store and retrieve dozens of complex passwords, it’s understandable why tech giants are pushing passkey integration pretty hard.

But before you celebrate the demise of passwords, there are a few hurdles to overcome. Companies need to upgrade their systems to make use of passkeys, and user education will take some time. Many older systems will also be incompatible with passkeys until they’re updated to modern standards—which will take both time and money.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication isn’t new, but it remains one of the most effective ways to protect accounts. It works by combining a password with an additional code, either sent to your phone or (ideally) generated through an authenticator app. This way, even if one layer is compromised, the attacker still needs to get through another.

Banks and healthcare systems swear by MFA for good reason. A stolen password is much less useful if the attacker can’t also access your phone or authentication app. That said, MFA isn’t perfect. People complain about the hassle of constant prompts, which can lead to them not being as stringent about setting it up for all their accounts. Worse, not all factors are equally secure—SIM-swapping attacks, for instance, can bypass SMS-based MFA. This is why apps (or a hardware key) are the best option, since you need physical access to the device to bypass it, which is unlikely in most cases.

Still, while MFA doesn’t outright replace passwords, it has cemented its place in the current login security framework. Strongly consider setting it up on all your accounts where possible—the occasional annoyance is well worth the added security!

Biometrics

Fingerprint scanning, facial recognition… biometric authentication can feel a little akin to magic when it works right. By utilizing something you always have access to—your body—biometrics are not only highly secure, but also very straightforward to use. It’s no surprise they’ve become a staple on modern devices like smartphones and laptops.

They can also be directly connected to passkey authentication for an instant doubling up on the security/simplicity metric. 

But while biometrics are convenient, they have some issues. Whether companies safely store and share this data remains to be seen. As such, privacy advocates worry about the misuse of biometric data; if the wrong people get their hands on biometrics, what happens? Unfortunately, resetting a fingerprint is just a little trickier than resetting a password. 

Additionally, the technology can falter—at present, fingerprints don’t scan well on wet hands, and facial recognition can struggle in low light or with diverse facial features.

Spoofing is also an issue. Fingerprint readers can still be fooled with fairly low-tech copies of a print. Surprisingly, with a little ingenuity involving an image of a fingerprint and some wood glue, it’s possible to bypass many scanners. Thankfully, most of us are unlikely to be targeted in this way!

Why Passwords Aren’t Going Anywhere (Yet)

Passwords continue to dominate the authentication landscape, despite the rise of more secure alternatives. Here’s why they remain essential—for now:

Legacy Systems and Compatibility Challenges

A significant barrier to moving beyond passwords lies in the widespread use of legacy systems. Many industries, including banking and government, rely on infrastructure that was built long before passkeys or other modern authentication methods existed. For context, over 10,000 hospital computers in the UK were still running Windows XP as of 2023—23 year old software.

Upgrading these systems to support passkeys would require substantial investment in upgrades, risking disruption to critical services. Until these systems are modernized, passwords remain the most practical option.

The Problem with Coexistence

Passkeys have the potential to replace passwords, but in most cases, they’re introduced alongside them rather than as full replacements. For instance, to set up a passkey, you generally begin by logging in with traditional credentials, such as a username and password. If websites don’t enforce passkeys as the exclusive login method from that point onwards, the system remains vulnerable to phishing attacks. 

Phishing exploits users’ reliance on passwords, and this hybrid approach doesn’t fully address this weakness.

User Experience and Usability Issues

One of the biggest challenges to passkey adoption is usability. While passkeys aim to simplify security, setups between devices and vendors can be hugely varied. Along with inconsistent terminology (“passkeys”, “security keys”, “hardware keys” etc.), and competing systems for managing passkeys (operating systems, password managers, browsers), you’ve got a recipe for some frustration and confusion.

It’s unfortunate, too, since once passkeys are set up they’re generally incredibly fast and simple to use. My own experience with passkeys has been pretty good, saving me plenty of time that I’d usually have to spend digging out various passwords. However, it’s also easy to understand how someone with little technical experience could be easily overwhelmed by the many new options being thrown at them.

Passkey usage can be confusing for new users, especially with non-uniform interfaces

Cultural Resistance and Familiarity with Passwords

Even if the technical issues are resolved, there’s a cultural resistance to abandoning passwords entirely. Passwords have been the default authentication method for so long that they feel second nature to most users. Introducing a fundamentally different approach, even a more secure one, requires user education and trust-building, both of which take time. 

How Alternatives Complement Rather Than Replace Passwords

While password alternatives aim to eventually move beyond passwords, many are currently used alongside them in a layered approach. Combining passwords, multi-factor authentication (MFA), passkeys, and biometrics creates an overall stronger defense.

Passkeys reduce risks like phishing by using cryptographic keys that a user can’t mistakenly give away to someone else, while MFA requiring a one-time-code adds a secondary layer. This makes it harder for attackers to breach accounts even if a password is compromised. Biometrics add another level of protection, offering personal and convenient verification that’s difficult to replicate.

It’s rare for a single service to use all of the above, but you likely will (or already do) use a couple of them in combination. The most common current implementation is a password followed by MFA. However, you’ll already find accounts where you need a passkey to login but will still be prompted for MFA or biometric verification for highly sensitive tasks (like changing personal details on a bank account).

These complementary approaches can also be vital in business or healthcare. For instance, a healthcare system might use biometrics for doctors to quickly access patient records while requiring MFA for sensitive tasks like prescribing controlled substances. This way, systems can address various levels of security and usability without relying entirely on passwords.

Strengthen Your Own Account Security Today

Even with modern advancements in authentication, taking proactive steps to secure your accounts is essential. Here’s how you can strengthen your security today:

Add MFA Where Possible

Enabling multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification method, such as a one-time code or biometric scan, in addition to your password. This drastically reduces the chances of unauthorized access. Try to ensure that you’re using app-based MFA/2FA, since SIM-based is a lot less secure.

Use a Password Manager

A password manager helps generate, store, and autofill strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. Many password managers now also support storing passkeys, making them a great tool to transition into using more modern authentication methods.

Create Unique Passwords for Sensitive Accounts

Avoid reusing passwords, especially for critical accounts like banking, email, and work logins. A strong, unique password ensures that a breach in one account doesn’t compromise others. 

Add a VPN for Secure Data Transmission

A VPN encrypts your internet connection, protecting your data from interception while also allowing access to location-specific content. For example, when connecting to a USA server, a VPN ensures your data remains private while accessing location-specific content. 

Get PIA VPN

Regularly Check Your Accounts for Unauthorized Access

Use tools like Have I Been Pwned to see if your accounts have been in any data breaches. If you find a breach, immediately update your passwords and enable additional security measures for the affected accounts.

Enable Login Alerts

Many services now offer email or text notifications when your account is accessed from a new device or location. It’s a great tool to help you react quickly in case an account is breached.

Ensure Your Emails are Secure

Your accounts are really only as safe as your email. Ensure your email account has a strong password and MFA—if people can access your email it’s far easier for them to reset credentials to your linked accounts.

Review Active Sessions

Check which devices are currently logged into your accounts. Services like Google, Facebook, and many password managers let you see active sessions and log out of any you don’t recognize or no longer use.

Passwords: Myth or Reality?

As new technologies emerge, misconceptions about their capabilities often arise. Let’s separate fact from fiction to better understand the realities of modern authentication.

Myth	Reality
Passkeys will completely replace passwords immediately.	Passkeys are currently used alongside passwords, not as full replacements. It will take years for widespread adoption.
Biometrics are foolproof.	Biometrics are secure but not perfect; spoofing methods like fake fingerprints or images can still bypass some systems.
MFA codes can’t be intercepted.	SMS-based MFA is vulnerable to SIM-swapping attacks. Use app-based MFA or hardware tokens for better security.
Authentication is all about keeping others out.	Modern systems also prioritize recovery methods, ensuring users can regain access if locked out.
Passwords will soon be obsolete.	Passwords still play a critical role as fallbacks for many systems, especially legacy platforms (in government, healthcare, etc.).
Passkeys are harder to use than passwords.	Properly implemented passkeys are often easier to use, requiring just a tap or biometric confirmation for login. However, initial user education may introduce a little friction.
All password managers are equally secure.	Security varies. Choose a manager with strong encryption, no known vulnerabilities, and preferably support for passkeys and MFA.

The Future of Authentication

The future of authentication will likely focus on reducing friction for users while enhancing security. Here are some key trends to watch:

• Passwordless Solutions As the Norm: As passkeys and other passwordless technologies gain traction, we’ll likely see more services adopting them. Although the transition will require a major effort in user education and infrastructure updates, the long-term benefits should make this well worth it.
• AI-Driven Authentication: Artificial intelligence will play an increasingly important role in detecting suspicious login behavior. Known as behavioral biometrics, AI systems could analyze things like typing speed, location, and general device usage, and then flag a threat in real-time without requiring any additional steps from a user.
• Improved Physical Biometrics: Biometric authentication will only become even more reliable and versatile. Advances in facial recognition, iris scanning, and more spoof-resistant fingerprint readers should continue to provide seamless, yet more secure, login experiences.
• Interoperable Authentication Ecosystems: In the future, authentication methods may become more standardized and interoperable across platforms. This could mean using a single biometric profile for multiple services, or having a “digital passport” that gets you in anywhere.
• Zero-Trust Security Models: Zero-trust approaches, which assume no user or device is inherently trustworthy, could underpin future systems. Authentication will be continuous, verifying behavior and identity throughout a session rather than relying on a single login.

As login systems continue to evolve, it looks like the main challenge will be finding a balance of security and usability. If users find these options intuitive rather than a pain to use, the likelihood of mass adoption grows exponentially.

While no system is currently perfect, there are plenty of promising ideas out there that, especially if woven together, are likely to form the new staple of our digital account security.