The evolution of authentication: More than just a password

Every time you access an online service, app, or digital platform, you need to verify your identity. This verification process varies, whether it’s entering a password, using biometric authentication like a fingerprint or facial scan, or confirming access via an email link. While passwords have long been the default security measure, a new contender, known as passkeys, is rapidly changing the landscape. But how do they compare? Let’s explore.

Understanding passwords: the traditional security standard

Passwords have existed in various forms for centuries, initially as spoken phrases used to gain entry to restricted areas (think “Open Sesame”). In the digital age, they’ve transformed into alphanumeric strings designed to protect accounts, personal data, and sensitive information.

However, passwords have one major flaw: they can be hacked. Weak or reused passwords are a goldmine for cybercriminals, who use advanced techniques like brute-force attacks, phishing, and credential stuffing to breach accounts. Because of these vulnerabilities, experts have long sought an alternative. And passkeys might be the solution.

What Exactly Is a Passkey?

Passkeys are a next-generation authentication method designed to eliminate the weaknesses of traditional passwords. They work using a cryptographic key pair:

• Public Key: Stored on a website or app’s server.
  
• Private Key: Stored securely on your personal device.

To log in, these two keys must match. What makes passkeys even more secure is that authentication can be performed using biometric verification, such as Face ID or fingerprint scanning, ensuring both convenience and enhanced security.

Key differences between Passkeys and Passwords

To fully grasp how passkeys compare to passwords, let’s break down their main distinctions:

• Creation process: Users create passwords manually, while passkeys are automatically generated through cryptographic systems.
  
• Security: Passkeys offer a dual-key authentication system, making them inherently safer than passwords, which rely on complexity for security.
  
• Storage: Passwords are stored on centralized servers, whereas passkeys separate data, storing a public key online and a private key on a user’s device.
  
• Resistance to cyber threats: Passkeys are immune to phishing attacks and brute-force hacking since there is no visible string of characters to steal.
  
• Ease of use: No need to memorize complex passwords. Passkeys work seamlessly with biometric authentication for faster logins.
  
• Management: While users can change passwords, managing passkeys often requires a compatible authentication tool or password manager.

Are Passkeys more secure than passwords?

The short answer: Yes. Passkeys significantly enhance security for several reasons:

• No need for memory or manual input: Unlike passwords, passkeys don’t require users to create or remember complex combinations, reducing the risk of weak credentials.
  
• Protection from data breaches: Even if a hacker gains access to your public key, it’s useless without the private key stored on your personal device.
  
• Adoption by industry leaders: Tech giants like Google, Apple, and Microsoft, along with the FIDO Alliance, are actively supporting passkeys as a more secure, streamlined authentication method.

Secure Your passkeys and passwords with a trusted Password Manager

As passkeys gain traction, managing them effectively becomes crucial. Passwd, a dedicated password manager for Google Workspace, will begin supporting passkeys starting in Q1/2025, providing an efficient and secure way to manage both passkeys and traditional passwords seamlessly.

Whether you’re ready to embrace a passwordless future or still rely on passwords, Passwd provides the flexibility to enhance the online security of your business with ease.

The choice is yours: stick with passwords or step into the future with passkeys. Either way, ensure your credentials are stored securely.