Today, rf IDEAS, a global manufacturer of RFID credential readers, and Wavelynx, a leading provider of secure access control solutions, released the 2026 State of Authentication Modernization Report. The findings reveal that authentication modernization challenges extend far beyond security concerns alone. Organizations that delay modernization efforts face growing operational inefficiencies, fragmented user experiences, increased administrative complexity and greater exposure to unauthorized access over time.

Overall, the report found that security leaders are overwhelmingly confident, with 93% of respondents saying their organization’s authentication and security maturity is more advanced compared to peers in their industry — but it’s impossible for nearly every organization to be ahead. Among managers, the people closest to actual execution, only 72% say authentication modernization is a high priority. This signals that overconfidence in current systems may be a deeper issue of organizational distance when those who work with the systems every day are less confident in their modernization than those at the executive level.

The report also found that authentication and security modernization is a clear priority for most organizations, and many are actively investing in it. But progress is lagging, a sign that managers’ concerns about modernization are valid. Over three-quarters (78%) of respondents say authentication and security modernization is a high priority over the next 12 months, and more than half (55%) of those prioritizing modernization to any degree plan on allocating $500,000 or more to the effort. However, only a quarter (24%) say their systems are largely modernized, and more than half (53%) have not significantly updated their systems in at least 3 years.

“Organizations today are facing more threats than ever, and security leaders cannot become overconfident in their defenses,” said David Cottingham, President of rf IDEAS. “Our data highlights that many organizations are still using outdated systems, which puts them more at risk than they think. It’s critical for company leaders to prioritize authentication modernization and take a long-term approach to securing their systems.”

This new data comes at a time when cybercriminals are increasingly targeting authentication, access controls and identity more than ever. In fact, seven out of every 10 organizations suffered at least one identity-related breach over the past year. While 90% of respondents say their approach to security is proactive or mostly proactive, authentication-specific upgrades quickly fall down the list relative to other security-related initiatives that organizations are prioritizing. Upgrading credentials and authentication methods (23%) and investing in mobile credentials or digital identity solutions (20%) ranked as the eighth and ninth most important initiatives, respectively.

“Working with rf IDEAS on this data has shown that companies say they are prioritizing modernization, but they may not realize how timely a problem it is,“ said Scott Lordo, CEO of Wavelynx. “While cost can be an issue, the implications of a breach can be far greater. It’s up to security leaders to ensure they prioritize modernizing systems to prevent emerging threats.”

Part of the reason this execution is stalling is that 27% of respondents cite unclear ROI as a barrier to modernization. This signals that many organizations may be overlooking the long-term operational and security costs of maintaining fragmented or outdated systems. Additionally, many leaders may underestimate the cost of not modernizing. Four in ten respondents believe the total impact of a security breach involving unauthorized access would cost less than $1 million. However, the global average cost of a data breach reached $4.4 million in 2025, meaning many leaders may be underestimating the potential financial impact of a breach by more than 70%. Overall, it’s critical for leaders to take a holistic view of securing upgrades, ensuring logical and physical access are not siloed to future-proof their systems and avoid costly breaches.

rf IDEAS and Wavelynx surveyed 500 IT and security leaders at mid-sized to enterprise organizations. To see the complete findings from rf IDEAS and Wavelynx’s 2026 State of Authentication Modernization Report, visit: rfideas.com/authentication-modernization-report.

About rf IDEAS

rf IDEAS, Inc. stands as a vanguard in the arena of logical access solutions, serving diverse sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, finance, government, education, and enterprise. The company’s globally trusted WAVE ID readers come from robust alliances with leading identity and access management providers. These readers facilitate innovative solutions for single sign-on, secure printing, time and attendance, visitor management, and mobile authentication, and are compatible with nearly all physical and mobile credentials worldwide.

About Wavelynx

Wavelynx is a leading provider of secure access control solutions that enhance safety, elevate customer experience, and instill confidence. Our cutting-edge platform offers access without limits through interoperable experiences for facilities prioritizing security, privacy, and convenience. With a commitment to driving the future of access control, Wavelynx empowers organizations to protect their assets and ensure compliance while enhancing user experiences through advanced wallet credential solutions, reader technology of the highest quality and security, and LEAF physical credentials. Trusted by financial institutions, small to large corporations, and universities worldwide, Wavelynx is at the forefront of the digital transformation in access control. Learn more at https://www.wavelynx.com/

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