Passkeys are cryptographic credentials that replace passwords. They're phishing-resistant, can't be stolen in data breaches, and are easier than remembering passwords. Major platforms support them now. For businesses, they're the future of authentication—start planning adoption.
Quick answer: Passkeys are cryptographic credentials that replace passwords. They're phishing-resistant, can't be stolen in data breaches, and are easier than remembering passwords. Major platforms support them now. For businesses, they're the future of authentication—start planning adoption.
What Passkeys Are
The problem with passwords:
- Users create weak ones
- Users reuse them across sites
- Phishing steals them
- Data breaches expose them
- They're a terrible user experience
- Cryptographic key pair
- Private key stored on device
- Public key stored by service
- Authentication happens locally on your device
- Nothing useful to phish or steal
How Passkeys Work
Registration:
- You create an account at a website
- Your device creates a unique key pair
- Private key stays on your device (secure enclave)
- Public key goes to the website
- You visit the website
- Site sends a challenge
- Your device signs the challenge with private key
- Biometric or PIN unlocks the key locally
- You're logged in
- No password transmitted
- Nothing to phish (key only works for legitimate site)
- Nothing stored server-side to breach
- Your biometric never leaves your device
Why Passkeys Are More Secure
Phishing-resistant: Passkeys are bound to specific websites. A fake site can't get a passkey for the real site—it doesn't match.
No credential theft: Nothing useful to steal. The private key never leaves your device. Data breaches can't expose passwords you don't have.
No password reuse: Each site gets unique cryptographic credentials.
No weak passwords: Cryptographic keys are inherently strong.
Current State (2026)
Consumer adoption:
- Apple, Google, Microsoft all support passkeys
- Major sites: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, PayPal, eBay, many more
- Syncing across devices via iCloud, Google Password Manager, etc.
- Microsoft Entra ID supports passkeys
- Google Workspace supports passkeys
- Many enterprise apps adding support
- Still early for full business adoption
Business Implementation
Where passkeys work today
Microsoft 365 / Entra ID: Passkeys supported as a passwordless authentication method. Can be phased in alongside existing MFA.
Google Workspace: Passkeys available for Google accounts. Enterprise controls available.
Consumer apps: Many B2C applications your employees use personally.
Implementation approach
Phase 1: Enable and pilot
- Enable passkeys as an option
- Pilot with IT-savvy users
- Learn from experience
- Promote passkeys for convenience
- Train users on registration
- Support cross-device scenarios
- Mandate passkeys for privileged users
- Remove password option where feasible
- Hardware security keys for highest security
Hardware security keys vs device passkeys
Device-bound passkeys:
- Stored on phone or computer
- Can sync across devices (Apple, Google)
- Convenient for most users
- Good security for general use
- Physical device (YubiKey, etc.)
- Not synced, not copyable
- Highest security
- Best for privileged accounts
Challenges for Businesses
Legacy application support: Not all apps support passkeys yet. Passwords will coexist for years.
Device management: What happens when employees leave? Device-bound passkeys need management consideration.
Recovery: Lost device recovery needs planning. Multiple passkeys, backup options.
User training: New concept for most users. Needs clear communication.
Our Recommendation
Start preparing now:
- Enable passkeys in Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
- Pilot with technical users
- Hardware keys for IT admin accounts
- Plan for broader rollout
What We Help With
We're deploying passwordless authentication for clients:
- Microsoft Entra passwordless configuration
- FIDO2 security key deployment for admins
- Passkey enablement and policy
- User training and communication
- Migration planning
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about passkey implementation.
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