Businesses are looking for ways to simplify digital security and eliminate the need for employees to create, memorise and constantly type out complicated passwords.
We all use passwords every day to access our devices and online accounts. But that doesn’t mean they’re a perfect solution. Many users choose passwords that are too easy for hackers to guess or use the same set of characters for multiple services.
Convenient digital security with passkeys
The technology behind passkeys isn’t new. But the password-less login credential truly ‘arrived’ last September, when Apple, Microsoft and Google announced their intention to support them. Passkeys allow users to create online accounts and sign in without entering a password. When they’re implemented correctly, you don’t have to type anything out, and you don’t have to enter a two-factor authentication code.
Recent research by 1Password — which makes a password manager for Mac, iOS, Windows, Android and Linux — found that when consumers were shown an example of passkeys, 75% say they’d consider using them. Passkeys are a secure replacement for passwords and are built on authentication standards set by the FIDO (Fast Identity Online) Alliance.
Save and sign in more easily
1Password recently added the option to save and sign in to online accounts with passkeys. It enables users to create and store passkeys in their vault, and then sign in to the associated accounts with them through the company’s beta browser extension.
“Our mission is to help people safeguard their digital identities by doubling down on passkeys. We are providing users with both greater security and ease of use,” s Steve Won, chief product officer.
It syncs passkeys across devices and platforms. It also remembers which websites and apps users have chosen to secure with a passkey, rather than a traditional password. It’s particularly useful for businesses as passkeys can be shared securely with other users by simply adding them to a shared vault or providing short-term access via item sharing.
Passkeys have reached a tipping point, and people are beginning to navigate a hybrid state where they use a mixture of passkeys, passwords and other authentication methods. Won says: “We are committed to ensuring people can safely access their credentials no matter how they want to authenticate — and across all devices.”
Helping consumers get more done in less time
“Since we first announced the concept of synced passkeys, we’ve seen remarkable market interest and significant early adoption as businesses around the world accelerate their efforts to eliminate the threat and hassle of passwords,” says Andrew Shikiar, executive director of FIDO Alliance.
1Password’s goal is to help consumers and businesses get more done in less time — with security and privacy as a given. Their roadmap includes plenty of passkey-related updates. For example, consumers will soon have the option to unlock their account with a passkey, rather than a password. They’ll also be able to save and sign in with passkeys on an Android device later this summer, once Android 14 is available. This will work not only in Chrome for Android but also in other Android apps that support passkeys.