The evolution of cybersecurity has moved from simple, less secure systems like username and password, to advanced, secure models such as passwordless voice biometrics. This model provides superior security by utilizing dynamically generated numbers, making it increasingly harder for cyber attackers to infiltrate.
In the internet’s early days, the username and password mechanisms were sufficient, but their vulnerabilities became obvious as the digital landscape expanded. The response to these vulnerabilities led to the development of two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA), which provided extra security layers. However, these systems had their challenges, paving the way for biometric security models.
Passwordless authentication
Voice biometrics, a particularly effective and user-friendly solution, leverages unique biological traits for identification and authentication. An advanced form of voice biometrics involves dynamically generated numbers, further enhancing security. Each authentication attempt uses a unique sequence of numbers, making recorded voice attacks futile. This system integrates well with existing MFA and 2FA systems and includes a liveness detection feature.
Voice biometrics utilize AI and machine learning algorithms to analyze unique vocal characteristics, creating a mathematically distinctive voiceprint. Replacing traditional passwords with such voiceprints provides an authentication method that is highly secure, user-friendly, impossible to replicate, and capable of detecting and preventing AI Audio Deepfake Attacks.
Evolution From passwords to voice biometrics
This shift from traditional passwords to advanced voice biometrics offers notable benefits. Firstly, it provides enhanced security by using unique, non-reusable, and hard-to-forge voiceprints. This reduces fraud, and the subsequent cost of dealing with fraud. Secondly, it offers an improved user experience, with voice authentication being quicker and more intuitive than typing passwords or receiving text messages. Lastly, it reduces the burden of password management for organizations, saving costs, and enhancing operational efficiency.
Whilst there is broad industry acceptance of the security risks of passwords, the price of maintaining a password-based authentication infrastructure should also be of significant concern to the enterprise. The enterprise could be spending millions of dollars per year on an inherently flawed system that often lets hackers just walk through the back door. In light of the Lapsus$ attacks of 2022 and year to date, the consequences are undeniable. According to Forrester and Yubico Research, large enterprises with 15,000+ users lose $5.2 million a year on the loss of productivity due to resetting passwords, and their research also found that each individual password reset costs as much as $70.
In addition, an automated passwordless system results in lower help desk costs, increased productivity, decreased downtime, and reduced risk of data breaches, among other benefits. This can be translated into tangible return on investment for an enterprise. To estimate the cost of agent-assisted password reset, one can use a formula considering factors like the number of password resets, time spent per reset, the hourly rate of support staff, infrastructure costs, and lost productivity cost.
In terms of deriving a more accurate estimated cost of an agent-assisted password reset for any specific enterprise, this can be calculated using the following formula:
Password Reset Cost = (Number of Password Resets x Time Spent per Reset x Hourly Rate of Support Staff) + Infrastructure Cost + Lost Productivity Cost
Where:
- Number of Password Resets is the total number of password reset requests that the helpdesk receives over a certain period.
- Time Spent per Reset is the average amount of time the helpdesk staff spends on each password reset request.
- Hourly Rate of Support Staff is the hourly cost of employing the support staff, including their salary and overhead costs such as benefits and taxes.
- Infrastructure Cost is the cost associated with maintaining the infrastructure necessary for password resets, including software, hardware, and other related expenses.
- Lost Productivity Cost is the cost associated with the time users are unable to work while waiting for their password to be reset.
Nonetheless, privacy concerns must be addressed strictly in line with GDPR, BIPA, CCPA, and other relevant regulations. Voice data must be securely stored, encrypted, and used solely for authentication purposes.
The shift from weak username and password systems to voice biometrics is a significant advancement in digital security. It offers a robust, reliable, and user-friendly alternative to traditional authentication methods. For instance, See-Say® Trusted Identity Assurance, offered by ValidSoft, provides a unique passwordless, digit-based voice authentication approach, guaranteeing individual identity, and preventing credential theft, social engineering hacks, replay attacks, and synthetic voice deepfake attacks, to non-repudiation level.
