What is Passkey Authentication?

Are passwords becoming obsolete? For the sake of secure business and customer data, let’s hope so.

Relying on passwords to secure devices and data leaves organizations increasingly vulnerable to cyberthreats. They’re easy to hack and difficult for employees to remember. Luckily, there’s a better solution.

A type of digital credential called a passkey is emerging as a solution to revolutionize authentication practices. This marks a shift away from reliance on traditional passwords toward more secure and user-friendly authentication methods. Passkey use is gaining momentum with support from tech giants like Apple, Google and Microsoft, which are all advocating for the technology as a way to eliminate the vulnerabilities associated with passwords.

When used alongside single-sign-on (SSO) authentication, passkeys can strengthen security measures, simplify user access and streamline authentication processes. Let's take a look at how passkeys can work in tandem with SSO to bolster defenses and eliminate the need for passwords throughout your organization.

What is passkey authentication?

A passkey is a secure, digital credential that replaces vulnerable passwords with a pair of cryptographic keys. The private key is stored on the user’s device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, computer or a dedicated hardware security key) and never transmitted over the network. Passkeys do not rely on shared secrets and are inherently phishing-resistant. They are also based on FIDO standards developed and maintained by the FIDO Alliance. Any FIDO2 credential is a passkey.

Pairing passkeys with other authentication methods can make your security even stronger. For example, SSO authentication is a method that enables users to access multiple applications or services using a single set of login credentials. SSO authenticates the user once and then grants access to various connected systems without requiring the user to log in separately to each application.

While SSO simplifies user access across multiple applications, passkeys offer an additional layer of security. Passkeys and SSO can work in tandem to create a more secure and convenient authentication process, addressing different aspects of the login experience and complementing each other's strengths.

3 advantages of passkeys

1. Boost security measures

Unlike passwords, which are vulnerable to data breaches and cyberattacks, passkeys are highly secure credentials based on state-of-the-art public key cryptography methods. They eliminate the vulnerability associated with passwords, ensuring that even if a server is compromised, individual users’ credentials remain secure and user privacy is protected.

Additionally, passkeys significantly mitigate the risks of phishing attacks by providing a more secure authentication method that doesn't rely on users entering sensitive credentials susceptible to interception or manipulation.

2. Unlock time and cost savings

Frequent password reset requests are a major burden on many IT teams. Since passkeys eliminate the need for password management, they free up valuable IT time and resources typically used in addressing password-related issues.

This reduction in administrative tasks leads to time and cost savings opportunities for your organization, enabling your IT teams to focus on more strategic initiatives that drive innovation and overall business growth.

3. Provide a seamless user experience and boost productivity

Passkeys provide a convenient user experience and streamline workflows by replacing complex passwords with intuitive methods like biometrics or PINs. Passkeys are not just passwordless, they’re also “usernameless,” so they boost employee productivity by eliminating the need to type usernames and passwords multiple times a day. In fact, passkeys are four times simpler to use and two times faster than passwords.

Additionally, passkeys provide consistent access across devices, including desktops, laptops and mobile devices. This continuity of authentication enhances user flexibility, enabling your employees to seamlessly transition between devices while maintaining secure access to their accounts and systems. By reducing authentication hurdles, you can enhance workforce productivity and drive efficiencies.

The key to a more secure, passwordless future