Are passkey providers responsible for securing auth data?

Are Passkey Providers Responsible for Securing Auth Data?#

Yes, passkey providers play a crucial role in securing authentication data, but their level of responsibility depends on their role in the passkey ecosystem.

Types of Passkey Providers and Security Responsibilities#

Passkey providers can be categorized into:

• First-party passkey providers (e.g., Apple iCloud Keychain, Google Password Manager, Microsoft Authenticator) that store passkeys within their cloud ecosystems.
• Third-party passkey providers (e.g., 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane) that offer passkey storage and synchronization across devices.
• Passkey authentication providers (e.g., Corbado) that facilitate the authentication process by integrating passkeys into websites and applications.

Security Measures Implemented by Passkey Providers#

Passkey providers typically employ the following security techniques:

• End-to-End Encryption: Passkeys stored in iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager are encrypted, ensuring only the user can access them.
• Hardware-Based Protection: Many providers use secure enclaves or TPM (Trusted Platform Module) to prevent unauthorized access.
• Biometric Authentication: Passkey authentication is typically tied to biometrics (Face ID, Touch ID, Windows Hello) or device PINs, adding an additional layer of security.
• Phishing Resistance: Since passkeys are bound to a specific domain, they mitigate phishing attacks by preventing authentication on fraudulent websites.

Who Is Ultimately Responsible?#

• First- and third-party passkey providers ensure secure storage and synchronization of passkeys.
• Passkey authentication providers facilitate the server-side authentication process, ensuring compliance with security best practices.
• End-users also play a role by securing their devices and enabling multi-device recovery options.

Conclusion#

While passkey providers implement strong security measures, overall protection depends on encryption, device security, and proper implementation by relying parties. Users and organizations must ensure they follow best security practices to fully leverage the benefits of passkeys.

Read the full article#

About Corbado

Corbado is the Authentication Intelligence Platform for CIAM teams running consumer authentication at scale. We help you see what IDP logs and generic analytics tools can't: where passkeys, passwords, OTP, social login and fallback journeys succeed, stall or fail, which devices and browsers create friction, and when an OS update silently breaks login. Two products: Corbado Observe layers process mining and observability across authentication journeys. Corbado Connect adds managed passkeys with analytics built in alongside your IDP. VicRoads runs passkeys for 5M+ users with Corbado (+80% passkey activation). Talk to a Passkey Expert →