Cyber security expert calls for end to passwords

THE 2 May 2024 was:- 'World Password Day,' a day designed to promote safe password practice. However, passwords are no longer fit for purpose and should be consigned to history, according to cybersecurity firm Thales.

Thales' Digital Trust Index found that password resets are a top frustration for 64% of the public. They're not just inconvenient, but a security risk too with traditional passwords easily hacked or stolen.

Simon McNally, Cyber Security Expert a Thales told us:- "Every year World Password Day comes around, and every year we see the same advice about the need for strong passwords issued. The advice simply isn't working. Passwords are no longer fit for purpose; they're easily hacked and put too much onus on the end user."

Instead of the traditional password, the experts at Thales believe that we should use passkeys instead.

What the H@@L are passkeys?

A passkey is a new kind of digital key that aims to replace passwords entirely. Unlike a password, which is a secret phrase or code that you remember and type in, a passkey is a unique digital credential that is stored on your device.

How do passkeys differ from passwords?

Passwords rely on something you know (such as a set of characters or a phrase). These can easily be guessed or stolen, and in many cases used for multiple logins. On the other hand, passkeys involve something you 'have' (a digital key or credential), and something you 'are' (usually a face ID or fingerprint). These are harder for hackers to steal, and are unique for each site - so even if 1 became compromised, it won't jeopardise your other accounts.

McNally continues:- "If we need an awareness day, it's time to re-brand and highlight the importance of passkeys. Using cryptographic techniques, passkeys are harder to crack; making them far more secure. They're also automatically generated and can be safely stored on devices, making it easier for the consumer and eliminating the need to create long, complex passwords or phrases. Finally, passkeys enable greater privacy by granting authentication without handing over sensitive information – reducing the risk of data breaches. We're already seeing great strides in this area, with Google last year announcing that passkeys are now enabled by default for users, with Amazon and Apple adopting too. This is the type of development that needs to be promoted, which is why we strongly believe World Password Day should be consigned to the history books."

How can I set up passkeys?

• This World Password Day is a perfect opportunity to implement passkeys where you can, with many companies have started to make them the default. The steps to get started with passkeys will depend on the accounts you have and the sites you use, but broadly speaking:
  

• Check your accounts: Companies such as Google, Apple and Amazon, Sony, and Nintendo have started supporting passkeys with their software and services, making it easy to switch.
  

• Set up passkeys on your devices: Whether it's your phone, tablet or computer go to the security settings and search for an option to create a passkey. Depending on your device this could be in security settings or sign-in options.
  

• Set up an authentication method: If your device or OS supports this, then you'll need to set up an authentication method. This could be a fingerprint or a facial ID.

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£80m investment this year to modernise the North West gas network

DETAILS of the 2024-25 programme to upgrade the North West's gas mains; some of which were installed over 100 years ago; are published.

Cadent, which manages the Region's gas network, will modernise around 420,000 metres of its North West pipeline over the next 12 months.

This is the same straight line distance as Liverpool to Aberdeen.

It is also the same length as around 4,000 football pitches, and the same height as more than 2,600 Blackpool Towers.

The £80m investment will be delivered by 600 skilled gas engineers.

They will be upgrading vital pipes to plastic to ensure a long term safe network, as well as remain on track to replace fossil gas with greener alternatives, such as biomethane and hydrogen.

This change is essential to achieve local plans for meeting energy demands in ways that better protect the planet.

As part of its commitment to keeping customers safe and warm, every year Cadent replaces around 1.5 per cent of its 34,000km North West underground distribution system. These are mostly ageing metallic mains nearing the end of their safe operating lives.

The work is part of a bigger 30 year engineering programme, which is happening across the UK and is due to finish in 2032.

The Head of Investment Planning Office (North West) Mark Syers, who leads the team delivering Cadent's gas mains upgrade work in the Region said:- "More than 80% of homes in the North West rely on gas for central heating and it's our job to make sure they get it, safely and reliably, every minute of every day of the year. As our older stock reaches the end of its safe working life, we must replace it. We're also excited by the arrival soon of hydrogen to our networks, which is going to be essential to the North West achieving its targets to reduce carbon emissions. In most cases we're able to insert the new pipe into the old 1, a technique that reduces the time of each project and means we don't have to dig as much. It also means an end to what often becomes increasingly frequent visits; with associated disruption; to repair faults on the older metallic mains, as they start to show signs of age. We know it's not ideal, but my team is determined to move as quickly as they safely can and get the work done with as little disruption as possible."

By distance, the 'top 5' workload areas for:- 2024 to 2025 are:- Wirral (45,793 metres), Manchester (24,697), Liverpool (24,287 metres), Sefton (21,656 metres), and Wigan (20,368 metres). You will find the figures for each of the North West's local authority areas in the table below.

Metres of pipe to be upgraded in:- 2024 to 2025, by local authority area:-

Wirral 45793 Manchester 24697 Liverpool 24287 Sefton 21656 Wigan 20368 Bolton 19492 Stockport 19090 Tameside 17046 Warrington 16619 Rochdale 15622 St Helens 13525 South Lakeland 12941 Bury 12239 Ribble Valley 10132 Blackpool 9956 Trafford 9042 Salford 8840 Oldham 7787 Blackburn with Darwen 7290 Vale Royal 7264High Peak 7005 South Ribble 6819 Burnley 6804 Knowsley 6260 Chorley 6226 Macclesfield 6040 Wyre 5490 Rossendale 5408 Preston 5041 Ellesmere Port and Neston 5034 Barrow-in-Furness 5018 Lancaster 4692 Pendle 4538 North Shropshire 4522 Halton 3347 West Lancashire 3001 Cheshire West and Chester 2820 Hyndburn 2414 Fylde 2314 Flintshire 1394 Cheshire East 830 Crewe and Nantwich 216 Westmorland and Furness 101

Cadent works with the local highways authorities to agree the best and least disruptive timings to carry out these essential upgrades.

Once start dates have been confirmed, letters are sent to properties impacted ahead of the work starting.

Part of the programme also involves replacing individual 'service' pipes of tens of thousands of properties at no extra cost for customers. Cadent makes all the arrangements and gives advance notice of when work will happen.

Gas remains on throughout, although in some cases properties that take a direct feed from the pipe being replaced will lose supply for up to 12 hours, as their building is connected to the new main. Customer teams are available to answer any questions.