Utilized to enhance security, such as biometric authentication and multi-factor authentication

IBM has released a global report, "IBM Security: The Future of Personal Authentication," which examines consumer perspectives on digital identity and authentication methods.

According to the report, consumers prioritize security over convenience when logging into applications or devices. Furthermore, younger generations are less concerned with traditional passwords, while actively utilizing biometric authentication, multi-factor authentication, and password management applications to enhance personal security.

This report is based on a survey of over 4,000 adults across the United States, Asia/Pacific, and Europe, and was conducted to gain insight into diverse consumer perspectives on authentication.

Respondents reported that security is a top priority when logging into most applications, especially financial ones. Sixty-seven percent of respondents said they currently use biometric authentication, and 87% said they will become more familiar with the technology in the future. Seventy-five percent of millennials said they are comfortable with biometric authentication.

Fewer than half of respondents use complex password combinations. Forty-one percent of millennial respondents said they reuse passwords. In contrast, older generations are more careful when creating passwords, but are less likely to use biometrics or multifactor authentication. Respondents in the Asia/Pacific region were the most knowledgeable and comfortable with biometric authentication, while users in the United States lagged the most.

In 2017, millions of consumers' personal information, passwords, and Social Security numbers were exposed in data breaches. Furthermore, the average American internet user maintains over 150 account passwords, a number projected to increase to over 300 in the coming years.

“With continued breaches of sensitive personal information, it’s no longer a secret that the information we use to authenticate ourselves online is being shared with hackers,” said Limor Kessem, senior security advisor for IBM Security. “As consumers recognize the inadequacy of passwords and prioritize security, now is the time to adopt advanced security approaches that provide multiple layers of identity verification and can be applied flexibly based on context and risk.”