Security teams who aim to control secure access to networked applications and sensitive data often focus on the authentication of user credentials. Yet, the explosive growth of connected devices and machines in today’s enterprises exposes critical security vulnerabilities within machine-to-machine communications, where no human is involved. 

According to a recent report by Garner Insights, the smart building market is expected to grow from $7.4 billion in 2017 to nearly $32 billion in 2022 — that’s more than a quadruple increase in just five years.

Often, the touch-free conversation is tied with the need for mobile access solutions. While the two approaches are not interchangeable, both are ideal choices to reduce hand-to-door contact in high traffic public areas such as office lobbies and entry ways, healthcare facilities, restaurants, schools, and restrooms. When combined, they offer contactless, barrier-free and user-friendly access that assure secure entry, minimize high frequency touchpoints, and reduce the spread of germs.

Specops Software discovered that 41% of employees had not been provided with adequate cybersecurity training while working from home, and they were keen to discover which sectors were experiencing the most threats during this time. They found that 54% of businesses across 11 sectors have seen a rise in cybercrime threats since working from home, with phishing being the most prevalent attack.

The SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (“OCIE”) recently issued a Risk Alert (the “Alert”) discussing cybersecurity observations from its examinations over time. The Alert did not state the time period of examinations included; however, OCIE has conducted several cybersecurity targeted exams over recent years.

From the early days of the web, the concept of authentication has been synonymous with the notion of ‘logging in,’ typically with a username and password. Today, this ubiquity has exploded to the point that the average individual has 191 usernames and passwords acting as one-to-one keys for any website they’ve registered with.

To enhance security following an increase in use of video conferencing apps, Zoom introduced two-factor authentication (2FA) for all users on its client and mobile apps. 

Transportation Security Administration officers at John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia Airports are using new technology at checkpoints that validates a traveler’s identification and confirms their flight information in near real time.

It’s easy to see why the Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP), has become the security industry’s gold standard for access control installations. It enhances security, adds flexibility and makes systems easy to update and integrate with other devices. The Security Industry Association (SIA), with significant input from manufacturers and integrators, introduced OSDP in 2011 and it is now recommended for any public or private enterprise installation requiring a high level of security. Earlier this year, the International Electrotechnical Commission approved OSDP as an international standard.