Passkeys will be better integrated in Windows

When was the last time you considered how you access your accounts?

Or how secure those access methods truly are?

For years, passwords have been our go-to. However, let's face it, passwords can be troublesome. They're easy to forget, frequently reused, and a prime target for cybercriminals.

This is where passkeys come into play. Finally, Windows is simplifying their use.

So, what exactly is a passkey?

Consider it a modern substitute for your password. Instead of entering a string of characters that could be stolen or guessed, a passkey allows you to sign in using something much more secure—your face, fingerprint, or a secure PIN linked to your device.

Behind the scenes, passkeys operate using advanced cryptography. There's no password for hackers to steal because the passkey consists of two parts: one remains on your device, and the other stays with the service you're accessing.

They function together like a lock and key, but the key never leaves your possession, so to speak. And since you can't accidentally give it away, it's much harder for phishing scams to deceive you.

Until now, using passkeys in Windows has been cumbersome. You often had to depend on third-party apps or websites, and it wasn't always clear how to set them up or manage them.

But Microsoft is addressing that.

They've begun introducing new features in Windows 11 that simplify the use and management of passkeys.

A significant enhancement is a new collaboration with 1Password, a password manager. This allows you to seamlessly sync your passkeys in Windows 11.

And if you don't use 1Password, don't worry. Microsoft has also launched a new tool for other password managers to integrate with Windows more easily.

In simple terms, your passkeys will work better with the tools you already use to secure your business.

Currently, these enhancements are being tested in the latest Windows 11 preview build, so they aren't available to everyone yet. But this clearly indicates the direction of future developments.

Microsoft is committed to moving away from passwords. In fact, the Microsoft Authenticator app is phasing out its password management feature. Instead, passkeys will become the default method for signing into your Microsoft accounts.

Passkeys are significantly more secure and less troublesome than managing countless passwords. With Windows facilitating their adoption, now is a great time to consider how your business can transition.

If you need assistance in understanding passkeys or preparing your business for a password-free future, feel free to reach out.