For companies, securing customer data and providing a seamless user experience go hand in hand. Passwords have been the go-to for authentication, but as security threats evolve and user expectations rise, they’re increasingly becoming a pain point. Enter passkeys—a modern, passwordless solution that enhances both security and convenience. In this post, we'll break down what passkeys are, why they’re beneficial for your organization, and how you can start implementing them.
What Are Passkeys?
Passkeys provide a more secure way for users to log into their accounts without needing a traditional password. Instead of relying on something users have to remember, like a password, passkeys let them authenticate using devices they already have—like their phone or computer. Behind the scenes, passkeys use public-key cryptography. The user's device generates a private key that stays on their device, and a public key is shared with the service (your business). This means the private key never leaves the device, making passkeys much more secure.
Why Should Your Business Implement Passkeys?
Implementing passkeys offers several benefits for companies and users:
Stronger Security: Passwords can be weak, reused, or stolen. Passkeys eliminate the risk of phishing, credential stuffing, and other common password-related threats because there’s no password for attackers to steal .
Improved User Experience: Passwords are often frustrating for users—people forget them, reuse them, or struggle with complicated reset processes. Passkeys offer a smoother login experience: users authenticate using something as simple as their fingerprint, face ID, or a trusted device, making it easier for them to access your service.
Reduced Support Costs: By minimizing password-related issues, such as resets and lockouts, you reduce the burden on your customer support team. Fewer tickets mean your team can focus on more complex issues rather than dealing with password recovery requests .
Future-Proof Security: Passkeys comply with modern security standards, such as FIDO2 and WebAuthn, ensuring that your authentication methods stay relevant as technology evolves. This future-proofs your business by aligning with industry trends that are moving toward passwordless systems.
What Types of Passkeys Can Your Business Use?
There are two main types of passkeys:
User-bound passkeys: These passkeys are linked to the user, not a specific device, allowing them to use the passkey across multiple devices. If your business serves customers who log in across different platforms (e.g., phone, laptop, tablet), this type of passkey offers flexibility. It’s ideal for creating a seamless multi-device experience.
Device-bound passkeys: These passkeys are tied to a specific device, offering an added layer of security. While this approach may seem more restrictive since it doesn’t allow for cross-device syncing, it actually enhances security. Emerging technologies like Zero-Trust Secure Modules (ZSM) require users to authenticate once per device, after which the system runs in the background to ensure a secure two-factor authentication (2FA) login every time.
How to Implement Passkeys for Your Business
Here’s how you can start incorporating passkeys into your authentication flow:
Assess Your Platform’s Capabilities: First, check if your tech stack supports passkeys. WebAuthn, the underlying API that powers passkeys, is widely supported across most modern browsers and devices.
Onboarding:
User-bound Passkeys: Guide your users through passkey setup with clear instructions. Ideally, the process should be quick and seamless—such as prompting users to scan a QR code or authenticate using biometrics (fingerprint or face ID) on their device.
Device-bound Passkeys: One of the benefits of device-bound passkeys is that no user implementation is required. Simply integrate the device-bound passkey SDK into your existing infrastructure. The next time your users login they will be asked to do a strong authentication which will bind the ZSM. Going forward the ZSM will always authenticate regardless of whether or not they clear their cache, restart their device, etc.
Test Across Devices and Platforms: Ensure your implementation works across all devices and platforms your users access. This is especially important if your customer base uses a wide variety of devices, from Android phones to iPads to desktop browsers.
Wrapping It Up
Passkeys can significantly improve both security and user experience for your business. By adopting passkeys, you reduce the risks associated with password-based authentication while also making life easier for your users. As more platforms and services move toward a passwordless future, passkeys will help ensure your business stays ahead of the curve. Resources like the FIDO Alliance’s Passkey Central lay out in detail how to start these programs and can be incredibly helpful for any organization looking to implement passkeys.
Passkeys aren’t just the next step in security—they’re a practical solution that benefits both your business and your users. Ready to make authentication simpler and safer?
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