Passwords Are Outdated, AI Offers A Safer Alternative According To Experts

Passwords are increasingly seen as outdated and insecure in the cybersecurity industry, with professionals calling for AI-driven, passwordless alternatives by 2025.

Forbes reported that according to a recent RSA ID IQ report, which surveyed over 2,000 cybersecurity experts across 62 countries, passwords are a major source of frustration and vulnerability.

More than half of respondents reported entering their passwords six or more times daily, with 20% doing so over 11 times, as reported by Forbes.

These frequent password prompts are not only time-consuming, challenging to remember, but are also vulnerable to hackers, and costly for IT support to maintain. However, these issues barely scratch the surface of the real problem: most data breaches start with compromised credentials, noted Forbes.

The limitations of passwords have been widely recognized for years, with tech leaders advocating for their elimination.

Steve Won, chief product officer at 1Password, emphasizes that moving beyond passwords would reduce vulnerabilities like phishing, as “there would be nothing to steal,” as reported by Forbes.

Instead of passwords, AI could enable authentication based on user behaviors, such as login location and device patterns, which are more difficult for attackers to mimic, noted Forbes.

With 61% of survey participants indicating plans to implement passwordless systems in 2025, AI-based security solutions are gaining traction, reported Forbes.

However, adoption is slowed by challenges: 24% of professionals believe passwordless standards lack maturity, 21% point to limited platform support, and 15% express doubts about trusting the technology, noted Forbes.

Only 13% cite budget as a primary obstacle, reflecting growing openness to investing in passwordless methods, said Forbes.

Forbes reports that AI-driven security systems can automate responses to unusual behavior, according to RSA CEO Rohit Ghai.

For example, if a user attempts to log in from an unexpected device or network, AI can recognize the anomaly, alert the security team, or require additional verification.

Despite concerns about trusting AI’s decision-making processes, Ghai believes confidence in AI-driven security will grow as organizations see its benefits compared to password only systems, reported Forbes.