Passwords have long been the default way to secure business systems, but despite advancing technology, they’re increasingly difficult to manage and easy for attackers to exploit. People are still people, and a full suite of security tools can still be defeated by a single convincing phishing email.
Passkeys are a relatively new way of addressing this problem and are changing how businesses approach authentication. Instead of relying on a string of characters designed for a human to memorize, passkeys use secure cryptographic authentication tied to a trusted device. This approach improves both security and usability, making it easier for your team to log in safely.
As cyber threats grow and hybrid work expands, more businesses are replacing passwords with passkeys to reduce risk and simplify access. Let’s take a look at why this is so.
What is a passkey?
A passkey is a passwordless authentication method that uses cryptographic keys stored on a trusted device, such as a laptop or smartphone. They are typically used to log into cloud platforms, business networks, or online apps. Instead of a password that can be typed in from any device, these services require a passkey that is tied to a preapproved device.
Passkeys work in pairs: One key stays securely on the user’s device, while the other is stored by the application or service. These are read and handled by the software, and are extremely difficult to steal, even if you have access to the device with the key on it.
Because these keys are not designed to be read or accessed by humans, there’s nothing for attackers to steal through phishing or keylogging, and an employee couldn’t hand it over to a cybercriminal even if they wanted to.
Why businesses are using passkeys instead of passwords
While abandoning established password policies for this new technology may seem daunting, many businesses are making the switch. Let's explore the reasons behind this transition.
1. Stronger protection against phishing
Passwords are highly vulnerable to phishing attacks, which remain the most common kind of cyberattacks. Employees can be tricked into handing over passwords and other credentials, giving cybercriminals an easy way in past your other defenses.
Passkeys eliminate this risk because they are not designed to be used by humans at all. Authentication only works with the legitimate application or website, preventing attackers from capturing credentials via fake websites.
2. Reduced risk of credential theft
With several apps and online services required for work, there can be literally hundreds of passwords that your employees have to track. That’s why it’s common for people to use simple passwords and reuse them constantly, making them easy to guess or steal. Passwords can also be leaked via a data breach at no fault of the user.
However, in the case of a passkey, even if a service experiences a breach, passkeys remain secure. Passkeys aren’t easily accessed or even readable by humans, even when they are on a compromised machine, ensuring data stays secure from intruders.
3. Improved user experience and productivity
Password complexity requirements often slow employees down. Forgotten passwords lead to resets, lockouts, and support requests, which reduce productivity and increase IT workload.
With a passkey, employees simply use biometrics or a device PIN to authenticate, reducing friction while maintaining strong security.
4. Better support for hybrid and remote work
Employees accessing systems from home offices and mobile devices increase the risk of credential misuse, because these environments are not as secure as the office network.
If a remote employee’s device is secured with a passkey, the cybercriminal would need to steal the device itself, then somehow spoof biometrics or crack a PIN to gain access. By the time they figure it out, mobile device management tools can wipe the device clean, making it useless.
5. Simplified security management
Managing passwords means enforcing length requirements, rotation schedules, and reuse restrictions, and human nature being what it is, there are no guarantees.
Passkeys simplify identity security because there are no credentials for employees to manage. They don’t have to install the passkey, remember it, or change it to keep it secure.
Ready to simplify your cybersecurity and put your fear of phishing emails to rest for good? Contact XBASE for a consultation and learn how to quickly and easily modernize your security with passkeys.