Passkeys are the first steps on the Long Road to a Passwordless Future

9th May 2023 | Blog

Passkey Authentication from the FIDO Alliance Replacing Insecure Passwords

Passkeys and a Passwordless Future

As a small business owner, you likely deal with a lot of sensitive data that needs to be protected. One of the main vulnerabilities to your business’s data security is passwords. Passwords can be easily forgotten, lost, or stolen, and can also be hacked by cybercriminals. That’s where passwordless authentication, like Google’s recently announced Passkey (from the FIDO Alliance), comes in. Passkeys are the first steps on a long road to a passwordless future.

Passkey Leverages Public and Private Key Authentication

Google Passkey uses a different type of authentication called public and private key authentication, which is more secure than traditional password authentication. Public and private key authentication uses a unique set of keys to authenticate a user’s identity, rather than relying on a password.

How does Passkey Work?

Here’s how it works: When you set up Passkey, you’ll create a private key that only you have access to. This key is stored on your device, and is never shared with anyone else. You’ll also create a public key, which is shared with the server you’re trying to access. When you try to log in to your account, the server will send a challenge to your device. Your device will use your private key to encrypt the challenge, and send it back to the server. The server will then use your public key to decrypt the challenge, and if the decrypted challenge matches the original challenge, you’ll be granted access to your account.

Passkey Security is Exceptional!

This type of authentication is much more secure than traditional password authentication, because even if a cybercriminal somehow intercepts the challenge and the encrypted response, they won’t be able to decrypt it without your private key.

The Many benefits of Passkey Authentication

Adopting Passkey for your business also has other benefits. It can save you and your employees time by eliminating the need to remember complex passwords or reset forgotten ones. This can also reduce the likelihood of employees falling for phishing scams or using weak passwords. Additionally, it can save you money by reducing the need for IT support to reset passwords or recover hacked accounts.

Passkey (supported by the FIDO Alliance) is also designed to be compatible with a wide range of devices, which makes it a good option for small businesses. As more and more companies adopt this type of authentication, it’s likely to become even more widespread. By adopting it now, you can stay ahead of the curve and protect your business’s sensitive data from cybercriminals.

How Do I Get Started with Passkey?

To get started with Passkey, you can check out the website for FIDO Alliance, the organization that developed the Passkey protocol. There, you’ll find more information about how the protocol works, and a list of compatible devices and services. It’s important to also educate your employees on how to use this authentication method and the benefits of passwordless authentication for your business’s security.

Passkey Security Summary

In summary, adopting Passkey (from the FIDO Alliance) for your business can significantly improve your data security by using a more secure authentication method than traditional passwords. It can save you time and money by eliminating the need for password resets and IT support, and is compatible with a wide range of devices. As more and more companies adopt this type of authentication, it’s likely to spread like wildfire! Start using passkeys today. Doing so gives you a head start on the long road to a passwordless future.