As cyber threats continue to evolve, addressing cybersecurity challenges is more urgent than ever. Traditional passwords, long considered foundational to digital security, are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated attacks like phishing and credential stuffing. With cybercriminals becoming more adept, businesses need more secure and reliable authentication methods. Enter passkeys – an innovative step forward in authentication technology.
Recent research from Keeper Security reveals a major shift in the industry: 80% of organizations have either adopted or plan to implement passkeys. But the transition is not without hurdles.
Why passkeys are the future
While passwords have long been the foundation of online security, they come with significant flaws. For example, 32% of employees admit to reusing passwords across multiple accounts, making them easy targets for cybercriminals. Combined with the pervasive threats of phishing and brute force attacks, it’s clear that traditional passwords are no longer sufficient.
Passkeys address these vulnerabilities by leveraging public key cryptography. Unlike passwords, which can be stolen or exposed, passkeys don’t require users to transmit sensitive information. Instead, they use a cryptographic key pair: One key is stored securely on the user’s device, and the other is stored on the authentication server, ensuring that credentials remain secure, private and resistant to phishing attacks.
A phased approach to passkey adoption
Transitioning to passkeys is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Businesses need a structured plan that addresses legacy systems, cost considerations and user adoption challenges. Here is a phased approach to ensuring a smooth and secure transition.
1. Conduct a risk assessment
Identify high-risk systems and prioritize their migration to passkeys. Focus on accounts that store sensitive data or have a history of security breaches. Keeper’s dark web monitoring tool, BreachWatch, can help detect exposed credentials and guide where to start.
2. Upgrade infrastructure
Evaluate authentication tools for compatibility with passkey technology. Hybrid authentication systems, which support both traditional passwords and passkeys, provide a seamless way to transition. Keeper’s password manager supports this hybrid approach, helping organizations secure existing credentials while preparing for a future with passkeys. This dual support enables gradual adoption, ensuring compatibility with legacy systems and minimizing disruption. By integrating passkeys at a manageable pace, organizations can enhance security without sacrificing functionality or user experience.
3. Drive user adoption
Successful implementation depends on user adoption. To support this, organizations must provide clear guidance, comprehensive training materials and hands-on demonstrations that highlight the benefits of passkeys. Keeper’s user-friendly interface and seamless autofill technology simplify the transition, encouraging widespread adoption. Establishing clear policies on when and how to use each authentication method helps ensure users feel confident in their choices. Hybrid solutions not only reduce resistance but also build trust, making the shift to passkeys smoother and more effective across the organization.
4. Launch a pilot program
Introduce passkeys to a smaller group before expanding company-wide. Gather feedback, refine processes and address concerns to optimize the user experience. Keeper’s enterprise-grade security tools ensure seamless integration with existing Identity and Access Management (IAM) frameworks to facilitate user adoption.
5. Execute an organization-wide rollout
Expand passkey usage across all systems, prioritizing high-value accounts and critical users before gradually including other platforms and the broader organization. Ongoing monitoring is essential for maintaining long-term security and user satisfaction.
A vision for the future
Passkeys mark a paradigm shift in authentication. As businesses strengthen their cybersecurity posture, adopting passkeys will be a crucial step toward eliminating credential-based attacks and enhancing the user experience.
Keeper is here to help organizations navigate this transformation. With enterprise-grade security solutions, seamless integrations and expert guidance, businesses can embrace the future of authentication with confidence.
Secure your future today
The journey to passkey adoption begins now. Download Keeper Security’s latest insight report, Navigating a Hybrid Authentication Landscape, for a deeper dive into emerging trends, challenges and solutions.
Source: Keeper Security