Bitwarden Offers Support for Browser Biometrics with Latest Platform Update

Bitwarden is introducing a slew of new features in an effort to simplify password and credential management. The new features are designed for individuals and large enterprises alike, and will allow customers to protect sensitive information and guard against data breaches.

The first of the new features is Emergency Access, which allows a user to give Vault access privileges to a friend or family member should they become incapacitated. The feature ensures that the user still has access to essential information in the event of an emergency.

Biometrics for Browsers, as the name would suggest, enables biometric logins for people trying to access their Vaults through a browser. The solution is compatible with any browser, and offers support for multiple biometric modalities, including face and fingerprint recognition.

Next on the list are Bitwarden’s Expanded Management Roles, which will give larger organizations more control over who does and does not have access to various materials. The platform can be used to create custom administrative roles, which in turn allows businesses to grant password privileges on a per-user basis. The update also introduces a new Enterprise Policy that lets businesses provide each user with their own personal Vault.

Finally, the new Encrypted Export feature allows users to back up their data, and to import that data back into Bitwarden using any version of the client. The feature leverages the same encryption technology that is used to protect the Bitwarden Vault itself.

Bitwarden noted that its password manager was listed as the industry’s top password manager in US News & World Report’s recent 2021 ranking. The company’s platform supports the use of physical tokens like YubiKeys in addition to biometric authentication.

Security experts have repeatedly warned about the dangers of poor password management, though those warnings have not yet translated to widespread action. A 2020 LastPass report found that most people re-use passwords (even when they know the risks), while Yubico has found that many co-workers share passwords and are reluctant to use password managers.

–

January 27, 2021 – by Eric Weiss