Your team likely locks everything down with passwords, but relying on them creates a constant security headache. More than 80% of data breaches involve compromised credentials, according to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report. The underlying problem is simple: passwords are shared secrets that must be stored, and stored secrets eventually get stolen.  

There is a more effective path forward that doesn’t require users to memorise anything: passkey migration. This process moves your business from traditional passwords to phishing-resistant authentication, using built-in device security instead of a shared secret.  

Why Traditional Passwords and MFA Aren’t Enough 

While multi-factor authentication (MFA) remains a vital baseline, its most common form—SMS-based codes—has a known weakness. Modern phishing kits can now intercept a one-time code in real time. A convincing fake login page captures both your password and the code, using them on the legitimate site before the session expires. Passkeys close this gap by design, making it technically impossible for a fraudulent page to trigger a login on your real device.  

What Actually Is a Passkey? 

A passkey is a cryptographic credential. Instead of a shared password stored on a server, your device creates a matched pair of digital keys when you register for a service.  

• The Private Key: Stays securely on your device and never leaves it.  

• The Public Key: Is sent to the service provider.  

When logging in, your device uses biometrics (like Face ID, a fingerprint, or Windows Hello) or a device PIN to sign a cryptographic challenge from the server. No password is ever transmitted. This means a passkey cannot be phished, cannot be reused, and cannot be exposed in a server-side breach.  

How to Approach Passkey Migration 

Passkey migration is not an overnight cutover; it is a gradual transition that runs passwords and passkeys in parallel until the new method is established across your essential platforms.  

• Start Where Support Exists: Platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace already fully support passkeys. Microsoft made passkeys the default for new Entra ID accounts in May 2025, and Google has supported them since 2023.  

• Run Systems in Parallel: Allow users to authenticate with passkeys on enrolled devices while falling back to a password on devices not yet enrolled. This prevents locking anyone out during the transition.  

• Plan for Unsupported Platforms: Not every tool supports passkeys today. Use a password manager to generate unique credentials for these services as a secure bridge until they are updated.  

The Business Benefits Beyond Security 

While security is the primary driver, the operational benefits of passkeys are highly measurable. Google reports that passkey sign-ins are four times more successful than password-based logins, and approximately 20% faster.  

By removing friction—such as mistyped passwords, waiting for SMS codes, or account lockouts—you drastically reduce helpdesk calls and workflow interruptions. Furthermore, adopting phishing-resistant authentication helps businesses meet compliance standards like NIST’s 2025 update to SP 800-63-4.  

💡 Ready to move toward a password-less future? Our Cybersecurity services can help you map out your current environment and build a seamless passkey migration plan for your team. 

Article used with permission from The Technology Press.