Convenience vs. Security: Finding the Right Balance

Technology plays a critical role in convenience today, automating and simplifying tasks and allowing us to communicate with ease. But, as this technology works to make things more convenient, security can slide, leaving companies and organizations at risk. There is a balance between convenience and security, found when businesses identify how much convenience they can let go of for improved security.

Nobody wants to go through needless security measures that reduce functionality and convenience. At the same time, nobody wants exposure to security risks to make technology easier to access. Heightened security means reduced convenience and vice versa. Each business finds a sweet spot between the two.

The key is to take security seriously as an organization, especially when it comes to regulatory compliance. Some of the biggest companies out there have fallen prey to security issues that they could have avoided with less focus on convenience. Data breaches were caused by inadequate security patching or a lack of two-factor authentication because nobody kept up with good practices. It is essential to stay up to date with the latest security concerns. Don’t lose sight of why a security practice might be worth inconvenience.

In addition to keeping up with best practices, advanced security methods can be more convenient than some of the legacy systems people use. For example, passwords are falling out of favor to more advanced (and more convenient) physical biometrics. Here are a few technologies to consider.

Physical and Behavioral Biometrics

Physical biometrics, such as using a thumbprint or facial recognition to open a device, balance security and convenience. People are used to some form of a password to secure their information. By replacing a password, easily hacked and replicated everywhere, things are more secure with a biometric. And it’s convenient too because people only need to have their hands free.

Behavioral biometrics take this one step further. It looks for patterns that are specific to a user. That could be the way they type, the way they touch a screen, or something similar. Behavioral biometrics scan for security breaches without intruding on the user unless something appears to be wrong.

This is a prime example of how to be secure with relatively unobtrusive technology. Users can access their devices and data with no need to type a password and systems stay secure.

Digital Tokenization

Digital tokenization is another example of balance between convenience and security. Think of payment methods like Apple Pay or Google Pay, which take sensitive financial information and replace it with a token. The token doesn’t store the data on the device, promoting greater security. Instead, with digital tokenization, a digital token replaces the payment method and its sensitive data.

Upon use, only the token makes payment, without exposing any of the original information from the payment card. Users have all of the convenience of making payments right from their digital devices. Moreover, that ever-important security remains, ensuring that nobody can breach the financial data.

Tokenization in the office environment may come in the form of Single Sign-On (SSO) like Microsoft Azure Active Directory or other services used to authenticate user credentials. In this scenario tokens are exchanged with a single authority to verify user identity for multiple accounts. Single Sign-On accounts can be further fortified with Two Factor Authentication.

Encrypted Password Vaulting

Passwords are still a very common method to verify identify and access to systems and data. The trouble with this is people can’t keep track of all the passwords they need to remember. To cope with the memorization of hundreds of passwords people resort to shorter, simpler passwords and/or re-use simplified passwords for multiple accounts, this is known as ‘password fatigue.’ Once a password is compromised, multiple accounts that use the same password also become compromised.

Encrypted password vaulting is a great way to manage all the complex passwords you need to remember is one secure location. You can ensure that passwords are very strong against brute attacks and unique for each password protected account. Protect your encrypted password vault with Two Factor Authentication and conveniently access your strong, complex passwords conveniently and safely.

Outsourcing IT Security

Perhaps a more traditional method than biometrics or tokenization, outsourcing IT security is nevertheless an excellent way to marry convenience and security. In this situation, the balance benefits human elements the most. Instead of an in-house IT department trying to work security monitoring and management into the rest of their operations, outside professionals handle it.

At Tor Technologies, we dedicate ourselves to understanding your business and technology needs to help you navigate the delicate balance between security and convenience. We integrate and manage the technologies needed to keep you safe and productive. In this regard, companies can have the benefits of an in-house, security team with the convenience of outsourcing.

Outsourced IT security means that businesses can focus on strategy, growth, and remaining competitive.

The team at Tor Technologies is ready to get started developing a custom security approach for your business. Contact us today!

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