In case you missed it, October was Cybersecurity Awareness Month in the US, but security should be a year-round concern for your organization. Cybercrime surged this year, fueled by advances in emerging technologies and the widespread availability of these tools on the dark web.
For businesses that don’t have the expertise or the equipment to keep up with these evolving threats, Google is doing it for them - offering industry-leading encryption, defenses, and device security.
Password protection is one of the most important aspects of Google’s cybersecurity framework. Passwords are the first line of defense against hackers, so a weak one is like leaving your front door wide open - up to 80% of data breaches are due to insecure logins, according to a recent report from Verizon.
Earlier this year, Google introduced passkeys as part of a move to phase out passwords while tightening security around how users log into their accounts. Initially available on an ‘opt-in’ basis, passkeys are now available by default for anyone with a personal Google account.
What are Google passkeys?
Passkeys are an alternative to passwords, allowing users to sign into their accounts using their fingerprint, a face scan, or a screen lock PIN.
According to Google, switching passwords to passkeys makes accounts more secure as they’re more resistant to phishing attacks than passwords or one-time SMS codes. They also eliminate the need to remember passwords or continually update them.
Now that passkeys are the default option across Workspace, users will be prompted to create and use them at login. Admins for Google Workspace can activate passkeys for their end-users during sign-in although this feature is currently still in the beta phase so may not be available for all accounts.
- In the Admin console, go to Menu > Security > Authentication > Passwordless
- Click ‘Skip passwords’
- Click ‘Allow users to skip passwords at sign-in by using passkeys’
- Save
From passwords to passkeys
Google aims to shift the industry into a passwordless future eventually and has been working with partners, including Apple and Microsoft, to make that happen.
“To really address password problems, we need to move beyond passwords altogether, which is why we’ve been setting the stage for a passwordless future,” said Sampath Srinivas, PM Director of Secure Authentication at Google. “The passkey will bring us much closer to the passwordless future we’ve been mapping out for over a decade.”
If your organization is still holding onto passwords, it’s only a matter of time before they become obsolete. Get your team up to speed now to strengthen your cybersecurity defenses and be ready for threats.
Whether you want to improve your cybersecurity framework or simplify your workflows, the team at UpCurve Cloud can help your organization make the most of Google Workspace. Our Google-certified technicians, consultants, and engineers can help you integrate all of Google’s tools and applications, depending on the needs of your business - creating a hyper-efficient IT infrastructure, tailored to your specific objectives and goals. Get in touch with our team today to get started!
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