Passkey Authentication: Saying Goodbye to Passwords

For years, we’ve relied on the traditional username and password system as our primary form of authenticating to our computers, applications, and websites. But times are changing, and now the prominent technology leaders are engineering a new way in which websites, applications, and even your phone can authenticate you.

That new way is called Passkey Authentication, and it will help IT teams boost their security, reduce costs and provide users with a simplified approach to authentication.

In this blog, we’ll cover what Passkey Authentication is, why it’s becoming more popular, and how you can use it to secure your online accounts.

What is a Passkey?

A passkey is a unique code that customers use to access their accounts without having to type in their passwords. Instead of typing in a username and password each time they log in, users only have to enter the passkey once. After that, identification keys are exchanged between your computer and the computer, application, or website, and stored securely.

Users will have two keys, one public and one private. The public key is used by websites and applications to recognize the user. In contrast, the private key is used to authenticate the user. This allows users to have a secure login process without having to remember long passwords. In addition, it protects user accounts from unauthorized access since it eliminates the possibility for someone (or a bot) to guess or “crack” your traditional password.

Why is Passkey Authentication Becoming So Popular?

Passkey Authentication offers several advantages over traditional, username and password authentication methods. It is much more secure since hackers cannot guess the passkey, and it removes the need for customers to remember long, complex passwords. Additionally, Passkey Authentication allows users to access their accounts from any device without having to manually enter credentials each time they log in.

Another benefit of Passkey Authentication is that it can be used to secure transactions, such as online purchases or banking transactions. This ensures that the customer’s data is kept safe and that their accounts are not vulnerable to theft or fraud.

Passkey Authentication is also more convenient than traditional authentication methods. Instead of having to remember lengthy passwords, users only have one private passkey they can use for all of their accounts. This makes it easier for users to securely access their data and ensures that they can do so quickly and safely.

What Technology Companies are Using Passkeys?

Passkey technology is being backed by the largest technology companies to ensure widespread adoption as part of The FIDO Alliance. The FIDO Alliance is an open industry association with a focused mission: authentication standards to help reduce the world’s over-reliance on passwords. The FIDO Alliance promotes the development of, use of, and compliance with standards for authentication and device attestation.

Using Password Managers with Your Passkeys

Using a Password Manager like LastPass or 1Password can make transitioning from passwords to passkeys easier. These programs store usernames and passwords for all your online accounts, so you don’t have to remember them all yourself (or worse – write them down).

Since passkeys will eliminate the need for you to remember unique usernames and passwords, implementing a Password Manager now is a logical step. Password Managers also provide additional security features such as auto-fill forms, secure notes, complex password generation, and more, making it easier for you to keep track your application credentials, while strengthening that access overall.

What’s Next?

It will take time for the world to move towards passkeys, especially legacy applications and websites. However, consumers will start to see passkeys implemented in their mobile phones right away for some applications. For example, soon Google Chrome will leverage passkeys for signing into the browser by prompt on your phone vs a user name and password. In the meantime, be sure you’re using a Password Manager as this will make the transition to passkeys easier while providing addition security to your users.

If you’re curious about passkeys and would like to learn more about them or how to implement a Password Manager, Contact us today! We’d love to hear from you.