Tech Experts Discuss How Passwordless Access Can Empower Frontline Workers

Passwords continue to slow down productivity in fast-paced workflows. In addition to creating inefficiencies, they are also known to be less secure than other authentication methods. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, 90% of successful cyberattacks and 70% of data breaches originate at endpoint devices. In addition, Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report further highlights that 80% of breaches stem from compromised credentials. This signals that friction in the login process often drives risky behaviors like credential sharing among end users, while introducing gaps that hackers willingly exploit.

For frontline workers, every second matters. In mission-critical environments such as healthcare, manufacturing, and emergency response, manual logins can stall workflows and erode focus when it’s needed most. Access is where security and productivity often collide—especially in shared device settings where outdated practices like passwords written on sticky notes, shared accounts, overprovisioned access, and long session timeouts create unnecessary risk and inefficiency. The human cost is clear: burnout, workarounds, and compliance gaps are putting both data and people at risk.

During an episode of Enterprise Security Weekly, Joel Burleson-Davis, Imprivata CTO, described the challenges of passwordless access for frontline workers, particularly in mixed technology environments.

“Inside the same institution…accessing the same maybe medical record system, you’ll find that there needs to be, you know, 5,10, 15 different sorts of authentication flows to get into the same system because sometimes there’s no camera, sometimes you’re not allowed phones…sometimes you can’t use your hands,” he said. “With this passwordless dynamic, the primary benefit is really making it easier and finding new modalities that can make it simpler.”

Passwordless authentication removes the burden of traditional passwords, replacing them with secure, user-friendly methods such as proximity badges, biometrics, or smartphone-based authentication. These approaches streamline workflows while reducing the risk of compromise, giving frontline teams the freedom to focus on care, safety, and outcomes instead of credentials.

Learn how to simplify secure access through passwordless authentication.