Device-bound passkeys: The potential solution for persistent password challenges in secure authentication
UK Government to Implement Passkey Technology for Enhanced Digital Security
The UK government has announced plans to roll out passkey technology for its digital services later this year, marking a significant shift away from current SMS-based verification systems. This move is expected to offer users a more secure authentication option and save several million pounds annually.
Passkeys, such as device-bound passkeys, are emerging as the de facto authentication solution to replace passwords and legacy multi-factor authentication (MFA) methods. They are viewed as a far superior alternative, providing a higher level of security and compliance with regulations like PCI DSS 4.0 and NIS2.
Device-bound passkeys require users to prove possession and presence to log in, making them less susceptible to being shared or copied across the cloud. This is particularly beneficial for channel managers since they inhibit passkeys from being intercepted or stolen by remote attackers.
Over 81% of hacking-related breaches are due to weak or reused passwords. Establishing phishing-resistant users is a proactive strategy that channel partners can take to eradicate phishing threats by removing all phishable events from the user lifecycle. Cybercriminals can easily bypass outdated MFA systems like SMS-based verification with access to passwords.
Realistic future solutions for replacing passwords focus mainly on passwordless authentication methods. These include passkeys, biometrics, device-based cryptographic keys, and magic links. Passkeys, developed by the FIDO Alliance, use public-key cryptography combined with biometric or PIN-based local authentication. They are highly resistant to phishing, credential theft, and man-in-the-middle attacks.
Biometric Authentication methods, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, provide seamless, user-friendly login without passwords. Device-Based Cryptographic Keys generate one-time cryptographic proofs of identity without passwords, leveraging protocols like WebAuthn. Magic Links and One-Time Codes provide passwordless login by proving possession control.
In summary, passkeys combined with biometrics and cryptographic hardware keys represent the most promising and realistic replacements for passwords, offering enhanced security and usability. Transitional solutions may also utilize one-time codes or magic links before full adoption of hardware- or biometric-based authentication.
However, challenges remain, including standardizing account recovery, ensuring broad device/platform support, and managing user adoption and delegation preferences. Organizations are advised to pilot passwordless systems combining these methods to match user needs and workflows, balancing security, user experience, and device compatibility. Automatic device proximity locking and event logging can enhance protection.
Threat actors are using AI tools to launch more attacks and improve the chances of success and impact of their efforts. Advanced phishing and sophisticated attack techniques are on the rise, and the threat of AI-driven cyberattacks is exacerbating concerns for channel partners. Channel partners working with such organizations are also at risk due to inadequate authentication tools, which are highly susceptible to cyberattacks like phishing.
The move by the UK government towards passkey technology is a step towards a more secure digital future, demonstrating the importance of implementing phishing-resistant MFA-like device-bound passkeys for all employees.
- The UK government's implementation of passkey technology is a significant stride towards enhancing digital security, as these passkeys offer a more secure authentication option and comply with regulations like PCI DSS 4.0 and NIS2.
- In the realm of data-and-cloud-computing, passkeys, along with biometrics and device-based cryptographic keys, are emerging as promising and realistic replacements for conventional passwords, owing to their superior security and resistance to phishing and man-in-the-middle attacks.
- The increasing use of AI tools by threat actors highlights the necessity for organizations to upgrade their cybersecurity infrastructure, such as adopting phishing-resistant MFA methods like device-bound passkeys, to safeguard themselves and their channel partners from advanced cyberattacks.
