Partner Stories

16 Billion Leaked Credentials: Why Passwords Can’t Protect You Anymore

Published by 360 Visibility

The largest credential leak in history exposed 16 billion usernames and passwords for platforms like Apple, Google, and Facebook. So, if your business is still relying on passwords, you’re already at risk.

Jason Meilleur, Cloud Solutions Director at 360 Visibility, explains:

“Microsoft blocks 7,000 password-related attacks every second. That’s 600 million attempts a day. Passwords simply weren’t designed for today’s threat environment.”

Why Passwords Fail

Passwords are a shared secret. Once stolen, they can be reused across countless systems. Attackers exploit this with:

  • Phishing – tricking users into handing over credentials.
  • Credential Stuffing – using leaked passwords to breach multiple accounts.
  • Brute Force Attacks – guessing weak or reused passwords.

The result? Breaches, downtime, and IT teams drowning in password reset tickets.

What Passwordless Authentication Brings

Passwordless authentication eliminates the weak link by shifting to:

  • Biometrics (Something you are): facial recognition, fingerprints.
  • Devices (Something you have): security keys, mobile apps.

Instead of remembering dozens of complex passwords, employees authenticate securely with tools they already use daily.

Real-World Proof

360 Visibility’s deployment data from 25+ enterprise rollouts shows:

  • 81% reduction in account compromise incidents.
  • 92% fewer credential-based attacks.
  • 66% faster logins than password-based systems.

One healthcare provider saw 89% adoption of Microsoft Authenticator in two weeks, cutting authentication times by 64%.

Types of Passwordless Authentication

  • Biometric Authentication – Windows Hello for Business has delivered 94% satisfaction and 71% fewer IT tickets for clients.
  • Hardware Keys (FIDO2, YubiKeys) – virtually immune to phishing, perfect for sensitive accounts.
  • Mobile-Based Authentication – push notifications, authenticator apps, or QR codes — the fastest to adopt.

The Business Impact

Passwordless isn’t just more secure — it’s more efficient. On average, organizations adopting passwordless cut IT support costs by 25% and saved employees 4+ minutes per login day — which scales into thousands of hours annually.

And the market agrees: by 2034, passwordless authentication will grow to $82.5 billion, making passwords the exception, not the rule.

The Bottom Line

As Jason Meilleur puts it:

“The math is simple: if you eliminate passwords, you eliminate the most common attack vector in the digital world.”

For organizations, the move to passwordless is no longer optional — it’s the only viable path forward. Start by assessing your Microsoft Security, then take the first steps into a passwordless future.