A FIDO passkey is a secure, passwordless authentication method that uses public key cryptography and biometrics to verify a user’s identity. It is designed to replace traditional passwords with a more secure and user-friendly alternative.
Passkeys represent a significant leap forward in the realm of user authentication, offering a robust, passwordless solution that enhances both security and user experience. Developed by the FIDO Alliance, passkeys are designed to replace traditional passwords with a more secure and user-friendly method of verifying identity. By leveraging public key cryptography and biometrics, passkeys provide a phishing-resistant alternative that is inherently more secure than conventional username and password combinations.
What is a cybersecurity program designed to do?
The FIDO Alliance, a consortium of industry leaders, has been at the forefront of developing standards to improve online security. One of their most notable achievements is the FIDO2 standard, which includes Web Authentication (WebAuthn) and the Client to Authenticator Protocol (CTAP). These protocols enable seamless and secure authentication across a variety of platforms, including operating systems like Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, as well as web browsers such as Chrome, Safari, and Edge.
Passkeys are essentially a pair of cryptographic keys: a public key and a private key. The public key is stored on the server of the online service, while the private key remains securely on the user’s device. This key pair ensures that the user’s credentials are never transmitted over the internet during authentication, significantly reducing the risk of data breaches and phishing attacks. The private key is protected by the device’s biometric sensors, such as a fingerprint scanner or facial recognition, making it virtually impossible for unauthorized individuals to access the account.
What are the advantages of using FIDO passkeys?
One of the primary advantages of FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) passkeys is their phishing-resistant nature. Unlike traditional passwords, which can be stolen through various means, passkeys are device-bound and can’t be easily compromised. When a user logs into an online service, the service sends a challenge to the user’s device, which then uses the private key to generate a response. This process is handled locally on the device, and the private key never leaves it, ensuring that even if a phishing attempt is made, the attacker can’t obtain the user’s credentials.
Moreover, passkeys are designed to work seamlessly with existing password managers and operating systems. This integration means that users can benefit from the enhanced security of passkeys without the need for significant changes to their current workflows. For example, on iOS and macOS, passkeys can be managed through iCloud Keychain, while on Android, they can be stored in Google Password Manager. This compatibility with widely used systems ensures a smooth transition to passwordless authentication for end users. Platform authenticators can also be used to generate credentials that are never synced to any remote service, giving organizations more control over how their passkeys are distributed.
How do FIDO passkeys work with MFA?
Passkeys also play a crucial role in multi-factor authentication (MFA) strategies. While MFA traditionally involves a combination of something the user knows (a password), something the user has (a security key), and something the user is (biometrics), passkeys simplify this process by combining the latter two factors. This not only enhances security but also improves usability, as users no longer need to remember complex passwords or carry additional hardware.
The adoption of FIDO passkeys is gaining momentum across major tech companies. Microsoft, Apple, and Google have all integrated support for FIDO2 and WebAuthn into their respective platforms, recognizing the importance of passwordless authentication in today’s cybersecurity landscape. For instance, Microsoft’s Edge browser and Windows operating system, Apple’s Safari and iOS, and Google’s Chrome and Android all support passkeys, making it easier for users to adopt this advanced authentication method.
For end users, the transition to passkeys can be nearly seamless. Most modern smartphones and computers come with built-in biometric sensors, which can be used to generate and store passkeys. When a user sets up a new device, the passkeys can be transferred or recreated using the same biometric data, ensuring that the user experience remains consistent and user-friendly. This ease of use is a key factor in the widespread adoption of passkeys, as it addresses one of the main barriers to implementing stronger authentication methods: user convenience.
Passkeys are particularly useful in scenarios where traditional passwords are vulnerable to attacks. For example, in the corporate environment, where employees often use multiple online services, passkeys can significantly reduce the risk of account compromise. The device-bound nature of passkeys means that even if an employee’s password is stolen, their account remains secure. This is especially important in industries where data breaches can have severe consequences, such as healthcare, finance, and government.
What industries are adopting the use of FIDO passkeys?
The ecosystem surrounding FIDO passkeys is expanding rapidly, with more and more online services and applications adopting the standard. This growth is driven by the increasing awareness of the limitations of traditional passwords and the need for more robust authentication methods. For instance, many financial institutions and ecommerce platforms are now offering passkey authentication to their customers, recognizing the benefits in terms of both security and user experience.
One of the key use cases for FIDO passkeys is account recovery. In the event that a user loses access to their device, the passkey can be recreated or transferred to a new device using the same biometric data. This process is typically more secure and user-friendly than traditional account recovery methods, which often rely on email verification or security questions. By simplifying account recovery, passkeys help to ensure that users can regain access to their accounts quickly and securely.
Another important aspect of passkeys is their role in enhancing the overall security of online services. By eliminating the need for passwords, passkeys reduce the attack surface for phishing and other types of credential theft. This is particularly relevant in the context of large-scale data breaches, where stolen passwords can be used to gain unauthorized access to multiple accounts. With passkeys, each login attempt is verified using a unique, device-bound private key, making it much more difficult for attackers to compromise user accounts.
FIDO passkeys for enterprises
Passkeys are highly relevant to enterprises, as they offer a more secure and user-friendly alternative to traditional password-based authentication. By leveraging public-key cryptography and device-based authentication, passkeys provide phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication that can be seamlessly integrated into single sign–on (SSO) with existing identity provider (IdP) solutions. Enterprises can incorporate passkeys into their authentication workflows through various methods, including WebAuthn, which is built into web browsers and FIDO2 SDKs for native applications.
Many MFA providers such as Akamai now support passkeys or similar passwordless technologies, making it possible for businesses to secure logins with passkeys through configuration rather than complicated custom development. Enterprises benefit from enhanced security, fewer support requests, and an improved user experience when passkeys are adopted. Passkeys can be deployed to specific user groups before gradually expanding to the rest of the organization, allowing time to invest in user education and compatibility across applications.
What are the steps for implementing FIDO passkeys?
The implementation of FIDO passkeys involves a series of steps that ensure the security and integrity of the authentication process. When a user first sets up a passkey, the device generates a key pair and stores the private key locally. The public key is then sent to the online service, which associates it with the user’s account. During subsequent login attempts, the service sends a challenge to the user’s device, which uses the private key to generate a response. The service verifies this response, and if it matches, the user is granted access.
The FIDO standards, which underpin passkeys, are designed to be flexible and adaptable. They support a wide range of authenticators, including hardware security keys, mobile devices, and built-in biometric sensors. This flexibility allows organizations to choose the authentication method that best fits their needs and user base, whether it is a hardware security key for high-security environments or a biometric sensor for a more user-friendly experience.
How are FIDO passkeys integrated into the authentication process?
The integration of FIDO passkeys into the authentication process can be achieved through protocols defined by the FIDO Alliance. These protocols enable developers to implement passkey authentication in their applications and services, ensuring that they meet the highest standards of security and usability. By adopting FIDO standards, organizations can provide their users with a more secure and convenient way to access their accounts, while also reducing the administrative burden associated with password management.
Passkeys aren’t just a theoretical concept; millions of end users around the world are already using them. Major tech companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Google have integrated passkey support into their platforms, making it easier for developers to implement this technology. For example, users of Microsoft’s services can now use passkeys to log in to their accounts, and Apple has introduced passkeys in iOS and macOS, allowing users to authenticate using a biometric sensor.
The user experience with passkeys is generally positive. The process of setting up and using a passkey is straightforward and intuitive, thanks to the built-in biometric sensors on modern devices. Users simply need to enroll with their device’s biometric sensor once before using it during logins across multiple devices and platforms. This eliminates the need to remember and manage multiple passwords, which can be a significant source of frustration and security vulnerabilities.
Why should businesses adopt FIDO passkeys?
For businesses, the adoption of FIDO passkeys can lead to several benefits. Not only does it enhance the security of user accounts, but it also improves the overall user experience. By reducing the complexity of the login process, organizations can increase user satisfaction and reduce support costs associated with password-related issues. Additionally, using passkeys can help organizations comply with regulatory requirements and industry best practices, further solidifying their commitment to cybersecurity.
The future of authentication is increasingly moving toward passwordless solutions and FIDO passkeys are at the forefront of this trend. The ecosystem around passkeys will continue to grow as more and more online services and applications adopt FIDO standards, making it easier for end users to benefit from this advanced technology. Combining public key cryptography, biometrics, and device-bound keys provides a secure, robust, and user-friendly alternative to traditional passwords.
The widespread deployment of passkeys is most effective when users are made aware of this technology. Users who understand the benefits to them and to the organization are more likely to adopt it sooner. Organizations can play a key role in this by providing clear instructions and support for setting up and using passkeys. This effort builds trust and confidence while helping organizations achieve their security goals.
In conclusion, FIDO passkeys represent a significant advancement in the field of user authentication. They offer a phishing-resistant, user-friendly, and secure alternative to traditional passwords, which makes them an ideal choice for both end users and organizations. As the ecosystem around FIDO standards continues to expand, the use of passkeys will become increasingly prevalent and provide a more secure, convenient online environment for all.
Frequently Asked Questions
FIDO passkeys work by generating a pair of cryptographic keys: a public key stored on the server of the online service and a private key stored securely on the user’s device. The private key is protected by the device’s biometric sensors and is used to generate a response to a challenge sent by the service during the login process.
The FIDO Alliance is a consortium of industry leaders that develops standards to improve online security. One of their key achievements is the FIDO2 standard, which includes WebAuthn and CTAP protocols for secure authentication.
The main benefits of FIDO passkeys include enhanced security, phishing resistance, improved user experience, and reduced administrative burden associated with password management. Passkeys simplify the login process and eliminate the need to remember complex passwords.
FIDO passkeys are more secure because they are device-bound and use biometric sensors during authentication. Passkeys never leave the user’s device during authentication, which makes them highly resistant to theft and unauthorized access — unlike passwords, which can be stolen through phishing or other means.
Yes, FIDO passkeys can be used as part of a multi-factor authentication (MFA) strategy. They combine multiple factors such as “something you have” (a device) and “something you are” (biometrics) to enhance security and usability.
FIDO passkeys are supported by a wide range of devices and platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Safari, and Edge. Most modern smartphones and computers come with built-in platform authenticators with biometric sensors to generate and store passkeys.
To set up a FIDO passkey, you need to enroll with your device’s biometric sensor (such as a fingerprint scanner or facial recognition) on your device. The device generates a key pair and stores the private key locally before sharing the public key with the online service. The process is typically straightforward and can be done through the standard user interface provided by each device.
If you lose your device you can typically restore your passkeys on a new device. This centralized recovery process is more secure and user-friendly than traditional account recovery methods, which often require email verification or security questions for every service.
Yes, FIDO passkeys are designed to be easy to use. Once you enroll with your device’s biometric sensor, you can log in with a simple touch or glance. This eliminates the need to remember and enter complex passwords.
Why customers choose Akamai
Akamai is the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online. Our market-leading security solutions, superior threat intelligence, and global operations team provide defense in depth to safeguard enterprise data and applications everywhere. Akamai’s full-stack cloud computing solutions deliver performance and affordability on the world’s most distributed platform. Global enterprises trust Akamai to provide the industry-leading reliability, scale, and expertise they need to grow their business with confidence.
