What Are Passkeys?

What are passkeys?#

Passkeys are a modern, secure method of passwordless authentication that replace traditional passwords. They allow users to log in using biometrics, such as Face ID or Touch ID, or device PINs instead of remembering and typing complex passwords. This method enhances both security and user experience by eliminating the need for passwords, which are often vulnerable to attacks.

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Passkeys are a form of passwordless authentication designed to improve security and usability. Unlike traditional passwords, which require users to remember and manage multiple complex strings of characters, passkeys rely on something the user already has (a device) and something the user is (biometrics), so it's a form of 2FA. This combination makes it significantly harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts.

How do passkeys work?#

Passkeys use public-key cryptography, where two keys are generated - a public key stored on the server and a private key kept securely on the user's device. When a user wants to log in, the server sends a challenge that can only be answered with the correct private key. Since the private key never leaves the user's device, it can't be intercepted or stolen.

Benefits of passkeys#

• Enhanced security: Passkeys are resistant to common attacks like phishing, credential stuffing, and brute-force attacks.
• Improved user experience: Logging in with biometrics or a device PIN is faster and easier than remembering passwords.
• Reduced user friction: Users no longer need to manage or reset forgotten passwords, reducing the likelihood of account lockouts.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Passkeys work across different devices and platforms, making them versatile for various applications.

Why are passkeys important?#

The traditional password system is inherently flawed due to human factors—users often create weak passwords or reuse them across multiple accounts. Passkeys eliminate these weaknesses by removing the need for passwords entirely. By leveraging biometrics and device-specific keys, passkeys provide a more secure and user-friendly authentication method, paving the way for a safer digital environment.

Implementing passkeys in your system#

For developers, implementing passkeys involves integrating with standards like WebAuthn and FIDO2. These standards ensure that passkeys can be used across different browsers and devices, making them a future-proof solution for modern authentication needs.

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About Corbado

Corbado is the Passkey Intelligence Platform for CIAM teams running consumer authentication at scale. We help you see what IDP logs and generic analytics tools can't: which devices, OS versions, browsers and credential managers support passkeys, why enrollments don't turn into logins, where the WebAuthn flow fails and when an OS / browser update silently breaks login, all without replacing Okta, Auth0, Ping, Cognito or your in-house IDP. Two products: Corbado Observe layers observability for passkeys and any other login method. 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 →