Identity is the battleground for security: Microsoft’s Vasu Jakkal

Microsoft made a rather big move a couple of weeks ago. It enabled all users to log in to its products without a password, instead providing alternate authentication methods. It is a significant change in securing how humans interact with the plethora of digital products out there. Passwords are considered one of the weakest links in the cybersecurity chain, and for long, the talk has been about enabling a password-less future. That time is finally here. ET talked to Vasu Jakkal, corporate vice-president for Microsoft’s security, compliance, identity, and management practice to understand more about how the company went about taking a significant step towards a password-less future. Edited excerpts: