Passkeys are a modern, passwordless authentication method designed to replace traditional passwords with a more secure and user-friendly system. They use cryptographic key pairs—one public and one private—to authenticate users without transmitting or sharing secrets that could be stolen.
What Are Passkeys?
Passkeys are digital credentials based on FIDO (Fast Identity Online) standards. When a user creates an account or signs in, their device generates a pair of cryptographic keys: a public key stored on the service's server and a private key kept securely on the user’s device. This private key never leaves the device, making passkeys resistant to phishing, hacking, and credential theft. Unlike passwords, passkeys cannot be shared, guessed, or intercepted.
How Passkeys Work
- When registering, the device creates a public-private key pair.
- The public key is stored on the website’s server, while the private key is stored securely on the device in protected hardware like Apple’s Secure Enclave or Android's Trusted Platform Module.
- To sign in, the user unlocks their device using biometrics (fingerprint, facial recognition), PIN, or pattern.
- The device uses the private key to cryptographically sign a challenge sent by the server.
- The server verifies this signature using the public key, confirming the user’s identity without the private key ever being shared.
- Passkeys can sync securely across devices via cloud services for seamless login experiences.
Key Benefits
- Phishing-resistant : No passwords to steal or expose.
- User-friendly : No need to remember or type passwords.
- Cross-device : Works across different devices and platforms.
- Secure storage : Private keys stored in secure hardware vaults.
- Simplified login : Sign in using biometrics or device PIN instead of passwords.
In summary, passkeys are strong, easy-to-use, and secure digital credentials leveraging public-key cryptography to provide a passwordless authentication experience that improves security and convenience for users and services alike.
