Introduction to Passkeys
In a significant move towards a passwordless future, Microsoft has unveiled innovative advancements in the adoption of passkeys. These secure and user-friendly alternatives to traditional passwords promise to enhance security, streamline user experience, and pave the way for the future of authentication.
Microsoft have confirmed that in the past year, Microsoft have blocked 7,000 password attacks per second, an increase of 75% YoY.
Most attacks still involve passwords, without the use of MFA so before you do anything else, turn on MFA, which can stop more than 99% of password-related attacks.
Benefits of Using Passkeys
Microsoft reports highlight the benefits of signing in with a passkeys:
- Signing in with a passkey is three times faster than using a traditional password and eight times faster than a password and traditional multifactor authentication.
- Users are three times more successful signing in with passkeys than with passwords (98% versus 32%).
- 99% of users who start the passkey registration flow complete it.
Passkeys provide a significantly enhanced user experience by allowing you to sign in quickly using your face, fingerprint, or PIN. Unlike traditional passwords, passkeys are not vulnerable to the same types of attacks, making them a more secure option.
By adopting passkeys, businesses can minimize the threat of password-related cyberattacks and improve regulatory compliance
Passwordless Authentication
Microsoft’s ultimate goal is to remove passwords completely and have accounts that only support phishing-resistant credentials. The company emphasises that passkeys provide a faster, safer, and more user-friendly alternative, aiming for a future resistant to phishing.
How Passkeys Work – A Modern Authentication Solution
Passkeys offer a cutting-edge approach to multifactor authentication by combining public key cryptography with biometric methods like fingerprint and facial recognition, or a device PIN, to verify an account owner’s identity.
Passkeys provide a secure alternative to traditional passwords. They are:
- Unique and Convenient – Passkeys are unique to each person and device, offering a simple and convenient way for individuals and organizations to securely sign in to online accounts.
- Enhanced Security – They enhance protection against phishing attacks, reduce the risk of account takeovers, and improve regulatory compliance.
- Compatibility and Integration – Passkeys are compatible with multiple systems and devices, making them easy to integrate into existing security infrastructures.
Future of Authentication with Passkeys
The roll out of passkeys with Microsoft started in May 2024. Passkeys and passwords will coexist for a while, but we are heading toward a passwordless world.
By preparing your products and platforms for the future, you can stay ahead, simplify authentication, and improve user security.
The shift towards passwordless authentication will drive the adoption of advanced technologies, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) and zero-trust security models.
The Big Savings for Businesses are in IT Support Costs
By going passwordless, organisations can save on costs associated with password management, such as helpdesk IT support for password resets, which currently account for a significant portion of IT support ticket.
Which is a win for us all 😊
If you would like to know more about Microsoft’s passkeys for your business get in touch with our IT support London team at Speedster IT.