Passkeys and the Move Beyond Passwords: What You Need to Know

Passwords have long been the weakest link in online security. A shift toward passkeys and other passwordless methods is changing how we authenticate online, offering stronger protection with a smoother user experience. Here’s what passkeys are, how they work, and what you should do to adopt them safely.

What a passkey is and how it works
A passkey is a form of public-key credential used for authentication.

When you register with a site or app that supports passkeys, your device creates a key pair: a private key that stays protected on the device and a public key that the service stores.

To sign in, the service issues a challenge that only the private key can sign. You unlock the private key with a biometric (fingerprint, face) or a PIN, and the service verifies your signature with the public key.

This approach delivers strong anti-phishing protection because there’s no shared secret like a password that can be intercepted or replayed. It also removes the burden of creating and remembering long, unique passwords.

Types of passkey authenticators
– Platform authenticators: Built into your phone, tablet, or laptop.

They use the device’s secure enclave or equivalent and often integrate with biometrics and cloud backup.
– Roaming authenticators: Physical security keys that connect via USB, NFC, or Bluetooth. These are ideal for high-security accounts and enterprise deployments.

Benefits for everyday users

– Fewer passwords to manage and no need for password managers if you prefer the built-in platform experience.
– Stronger security: resistant to phishing, credential stuffing, and many common attack vectors.
– Faster sign-in: authenticate with a biometric or a single tap on a security key.

Considerations and potential drawbacks
– Device loss: If your primary device is lost or damaged, recovery depends on whether you set up backup devices or cloud-synced passkeys.

Always register a second device or a security key for critical accounts.
– Service adoption: Not every website or app supports passkeys yet.

For unsupported services, continue using strong, unique passwords with a password manager and enable multi-factor authentication when available.
– Enterprise compatibility: Organizations must plan integration with identity providers and legacy apps.

SSO and identity platforms are increasingly adding passkey support.

Practical tips for adopting passkeys
– Enable passkeys where offered and register more than one device or a security key for recovery.
– Keep your device software and browser up to date to ensure compatibility and security enhancements.
– For high-value accounts (email, financial, admin access), use both a passkey and a physical security key as backup.
– Educate team members about the difference between passkeys and passwords, and update internal authentication policies to include passwordless options.
– When managing a fleet of devices, evaluate identity providers and SSO systems that support passkey provisioning and lifecycle management.

The path forward
Passwordless authentication is maturing quickly and is becoming a practical option for most users and organizations. By combining strong cryptography, device-level protections, and simpler user flows, passkeys reduce attack surface while improving the sign-in experience.

Transition thoughtfully: enable passkeys where possible, maintain reliable recovery options, and keep critical accounts protected with additional physical keys when appropriate.

Adopting passkeys now positions you and your organization to benefit from stronger security and a more modern authentication model as more services embrace passwordless login.