Survey: authentication friction disrupts frontline work and drives security workarounds

A survey of 700 IT and security decision-makers by Imprivata and the FIDO Alliance found 34% of organizations see authentication problems delaying frontline work, rising to 40% in healthcare. 95% reported security workarounds such as staying logged in, sharing credentials or trying to bypass MFA.

• 34% of organizations report authentication delays, 40% in healthcare
• 95% observe workarounds: staying logged in, shared credentials, MFA bypass attempts
• 57% saw confirmed or suspected AI deepfake impersonation in 12 months
• Only 5% call frontline authentication fully passwordless