Passwords have been the standard for authentication for decades, but they have proven to be one of the weakest elements of security. Phishing, password reuse, brute-force attacks, and database breaches make passwords risky and costly to maintain. Passkey technology addresses these issues by introducing a modern, cryptography-based, passwordless authentication method.

What are passkeys?

A passkey is a login method based on a combination of a public and private key (public-key cryptography).

Instead of users remembering a password, their device generates a key pair:

• The private key is securely stored on the device (TPM, Secure Enclave, hardware key).
• The public key is registered with the service (server).

During login, the server sends a cryptographic challenge that is signed with the private key. The user’s identity is verified without transmitting any secrets over the network.

What does the login process look like in practice?

Key advantages

• Phishing resistance
A passkey is tied to a specific domain, so a fake website cannot use it.

• No reuse problem
Each service has its own unique key.

• No password leaks
The server does not store secrets that could be compromised.

• Better user experience
Faster login without the need to remember passwords.

Challenges and limitations

Of course, it’s not all perfect, there are challenges with this technology as well. A passkey is tied to a device, so care must be taken not to lose the device. There must be a way for users to access the system even if they lose their passkey.

Users also need to be trained to use this new technology, which never comes without some resistance and initial difficulties.

There are scenarios where using a device for authentication can be challenging. For example, when you are logged in via remote desktop to a remote computer. On that remote machine, you may want to authenticate to an application, but the key is on your local device while the browser is unavailable. However, solutions exist for all of these challenges.

Where can you use passkeys today?

Passkey technology represents a practical and mature step toward a passwordless future. It brings stronger security, a better user experience, and lower operational costs. Organizations planning to modernize their authentication systems should consider passkeys as a primary method, with carefully planned onboarding, recovery options, and compatibility with existing systems.

If you would like to test passkey technology, visit the link and get in touch with us.