As detailed in Biometric Update, authentication difficulties are disrupting frontline operations and prompting employees to bypass security protocols, according to a survey of 700 IT and security decision-makers conducted by Imprivata and the FIDO Alliance.
The report, Frontline Friction: The State of Authentication for Frontline Workers, reveals that 34% of respondents face delays in critical activities due to authentication issues, with that figure reaching 40% in healthcare. Common obstacles include frequent password resets, account lockouts and repetitive multi-factor authentication prompts. Consequently, 95% of organizations observed staff using insecure workarounds, such as sharing credentials or remaining logged in to avoid system friction. Beyond operational delays, organizations are increasingly vulnerable to identity threats. Fifty-seven percent of respondents reported suspected or confirmed AI-assisted impersonation attempts within the last 12 months. While passwordless authentication offers potential improvements in speed and productivity, adoption remains slow. Currently, 67% of organizations still rely on traditional password-based systems, and only 5% have achieved a fully passwordless environment. The study highlights that when security controls are misaligned with daily workflows, they inadvertently incentivize risky behaviors, ultimately costing a typical organization with 2,800 frontline workers approximately 32,400 hours of lost productivity annually.
Source: Biometric Update
