How Remote Digital ID Could’ve Saved TfL Recent cyberattack on TfL disrupted services and compromised employee and customer data. This has meant that over 30,000 employees have had to travel to TfL’s headquarters to reverify their identity and reset their passwords.
This TfL disruption reveals a weakness of traditional password-based systems. Passwords are highly vulnerable to a wide range of cyber threats, from phishing attacks to credential stuffing, an easy point of entry for hackers, which have long been the go-to for securing access to sensitive systems.
Downfalls of traditional passwords One of the greatest costs is the operational downtime passwords create. Any cyberattack disrupts work – leading to delayed services and, in some cases, lost revenue. In TfL’s case, password resets and identity reverification are becoming a labour-intensive and expensive process that could be solved by adopting more modern solutions.
The traditional method of face-to-face identification can make the registration process for these identities take days or sometimes weeks. BUT with remote identity verification, an individual’s identity is verified securely, and fast, eliminating the need for physical presence.
Streamline verification processes Businesses need to streamline the verification process by removing the need for employees or customers to identify in person. It can also be done by registering customers worldwide for Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES), which saves both parties time and makes the registration process easier and more efficient. This approach also empowers companies to respond more effectively to incidents, while avoiding the logistical nightmare of requiring large-scale physical identity checks.
Cross-Industry issue There are lessons to be learnt across many sectors from this incident in the transport sector, including healthcare, finance, and government. Digidentity research shows how individual UK healthcare organisations are losing £544,000 per year due to delays in verifying a candidate's identity and credentials through in-person checks. In healthcare where staff shortages are already critical, these delays are negatively impacting patient care.
Similarly, clients trust institutions in the finance industry with highly sensitive financial data. Therefore it is crucial to prevent unauthorised access, secure transactions, and mitigate the fallout from breaches.
Moreover, in many cases, the responsibility is typically placed on the consumer as they are the ones initiating payment. As victims who willingly send funds, albeit under false pretences, in an authorised push payment (APP) transaction, consumers may face financial loss as banks may claim they’re not responsible.
Customers need to understand that they are their own accounts’ first line of defence. While it is the bank’s responsibility to protect assets, it is also important for customers to protect themselves.
Overarchingly, any business that handles sensitive information and relies on password-based systems is susceptible to similar risks. By using advanced verification and authentication methods, companies can easily add layers of security, making it more challenging for malicious actors to impersonate legitimate users and conduct fraudulent transactions.
No more downtime If there’s one thing the TfL has taught us it is that the future of cybersecurity isn’t more passwords—it’s smarter, remote solutions that actually work. Modern threats demand modern solutions, and whilst we cannot eradicate threats for good, we can work together to limit the operational damage they cause.
By embracing remote identification, companies across the board can provide security and flexibility for their employees and limit the logistical headaches when disruption arises.
Learn more about the future of digital identity, by clicking here: https://www.digidentity.eu/services/digital-identity
