FIDO launches consumer outreach with website and trust mark; eIDAS white papers and webinar

The FIDO ecosystem has been built up, and the organization is now reaching out to educate consumers on the value of biometrics and other technologies for on-device authentication with the new loginwithfido.com website. A new “I-Mark Web Symbol” based on the lower-case letter “I” in the FIDO Alliance logo has also been launched to provide an easily-spotted indication that a device or website supports FIDO authentication.

Prior to the launch of the new website, the Alliance surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers, and found that more than half (52 percent) are using five or fewer passwords across all their accounts. Further, 45 percent use only their memory to keep track of passwords, though the research showed a desire for stronger security with apps and sites handling financial information and payments.

If they knew mobile apps and websites were using FIDO Alliance authentication standards and validated technology, 71 percent of respondents said they would trust them more.

“As the FIDO standards are reaching a tipping point with widespread adoption among technology companies, it’s a natural next step for us to provide consumers with a place to learn more, and to help companies implement user logins that are easier to use and that keep personal data and information secure in order to instill further trust in their brands, ” says Andrew Shikiar, executive director and chief marketing officer of the FIDO Alliance. “Soon, when consumers see the I-Mark on the sites they use, they can be confident that they’re getting a common user experience that is easy, trusted and fully secure.”

Shikiar notes that people are largely aware that they should not be repeating passwords, but “convenience is currently winning over security.” Research tells the organization that consumers can benefit from FIDO technology, with a little more understanding.

eIDAS white papers and webinar

The use of FIDO authentication with eIDAS-compliant eID schemes is promoted as a natural fit in a blog post by FIDO Alliance Director of Marketing Megan Shamas announcing a pair of new white papers and a webinar on using the authentication protocol with the EU regulation.

eIDAS stands for “electronic identification, authentication and trust services,” and the 11-page white paper on “Introduction of FIDO & eIDAS Services” provides a description of the relationship between FIDO2 standards and eIDAS-compliant authentication schemes.

“Using FIDO with eIDAS Services” explores implementations for services over 24 pages, including architectural concepts for integrating FIDO2 into the eIDAS interoperability framework, according to the post.

“The modern FIDO standard, and its wide adoption by the largest IT-companies all over the globe, provides a viable framework for expanding and modernizing eIDAS services across Europe,” comments Yubico Solutions Architect Sebastian Elfors. “In the intersection between eIDAS and FIDO, there are a number of emerging deployment scenarios that will benefit the public sector in the European Union. There are already several eID schemes being notified by the EU Commission this year, the number of Qualified Trust Service Providers are constantly growing, and more government services are enabling cross-border eID support.”

Elfours and Shikiar will present a webinar “Introduction to FIDO & eIDAS Services” on May 28 at 9:00am EDT.

Article Topics

authentication  |  biometrics  |  consumer adoption  |  e-ID  |  eIDAS  |  EU  |  FIDO Alliance  |  standards