Passkeys: A Milestone Towards a Passwordless World

Are you familiar with <strong>"World Password Day"</strong>? Established by Intel, it falls on the first Thursday of May each year to raise awareness about strong security habits.

On May 5, 2022, tech giants Apple, Google, and Microsoft announced plans to expand support for FIDO2 passwordless authentication. Since then, vendors worldwide have been preparing for a password-free future.

Most recently, on May 3, 2023, Google officially began supporting passkeys for Google accounts. This allows users to choose passkeys as an authentication option alongside traditional passwords and 2-step verification.

At ISR, we have been members of the FIDO Alliance since 2014. While this news is a major step forward, we understand that new technology can bring questions. This article explains what passkeys are, how they work, and how businesses can implement them.

What are "Passkeys," the Alternative to Passwords?

Passkeys are digital credentials used in FIDO2 authentication. Unlike traditional methods, they can be synced securely between your devices.

Many "passwordless" methods exist, but not all are secure. For example, SMS-based authentication is vulnerable to Man-in-the-Middle attacks. Passkeys, however, use{" "} <strong>public-key cryptography</strong>.

Your identity is verified locally on your device via biometrics (fingerprint/face) or a PIN. Only the encrypted result is sent to the server. Your actual biometrics never leave your device, significantly reducing the risk of data leaks.

Learn about FIDO2

Combining Security and Convenience

Previously, FIDO2 credentials were locked to a single device. If you lost your phone, you had to re-register. Passkeys solve this by syncing with cloud accounts like Google ID or Apple ID.

Why are Passkeys More Secure?

Passwords are just strings of characters. Anyone who knows the string can gain access. Passkeys shift security to a Possession + Biometric model. This ensures that only the rightful owner of the physical device can sign in.

Data Insights: Passkeys vs. Passwords

Google’s data shows that passkey success rates are four times higher than passwords. While the average success rate for passwords is only 13.8%, local passkeys boast 63.8%.

Passkeys are also twice as fast, completing sign-ins in roughly 15 seconds compared to 30 seconds for passwords.

Common Misconceptions

Many users fear that "passwordless" means "complex." In reality, early adopters report that it simplifies their workflow. IT admins also see fewer helpdesk tickets for password resets, allowing them to focus on more critical tasks.

Passkey Authentication Procedure

CloudGate UNO provides three main ways to verify your identity:

CloudGate UNO Passkey Flow

By using CloudGate UNO, you can bring passkey security to systems that don't natively support FIDO2 yet, creating a unified and secure entry point for all your corporate tools.

Steps for Passkey Implementation

Transitioning to passwordless can feel daunting. We recommend a phased approach to ensure success.

Summary

Password technology dates back to the 1960s. It was never designed for the modern internet age where billions of people access sensitive data remotely every day.

With the arrival of passkeys, we finally have an alternative that is both more secure and more convenient. The "passwordless era" isn't just a dream—it's starting now. By adopting passkeys today, your business can stay ahead of threats and provide a better experience for your employees.