From Passwords to Passkeys: What’s Next for Secure Sign-ins?

For as long as we’ve been online, passwords have been our first line of defense. But let’s be honest—they’re also one of the weakest links in the security chain. From forgotten login credentials to reused passwords and phishing scams, the flaws are hard to ignore.

81% of data breaches are caused by weak or stolen passwords. Now, there’s a better way, known as passkeys. This isn’t a trend but the start of a passwordless revolution.

Organizations can partner with a trusted Microsoft 365 partner to help them transition to passkey registration smoothly for more secure logins. This makes authentication across various business tools like Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook easy. 

What Are Passkeys Again?

A passkey is something that replaces your password with something more secure and intelligent. Rather than having to remember a password, you can use a digital key on any device to verify your login.

Behind the scenes, passkeys rely on public key cryptography. This means two keys are generated. One is a public key, kept on the site, and the other is a private key, kept on your device. To log in, the site checks the private key against the public one, but the private key stays on your device. That means no secret information is ever transmitted, and hackers have nothing to intercept or steal.

From a user perspective? It’s seamless. You just approve the login with a fingerprint, face scan, or PIN.

What’s Changed Since We Last Talked About Passkeys?

Since our last post about passkeys, the technology has gone from early adoption to near-mainstream, and major players are doubling down.

1. Microsoft Makes Passkeys the Default

In one of the biggest moves yet, Microsoft announced in 2024 that all new Microsoft accounts now default to passwordless login. That includes Windows 11, Microsoft 365, and Azure. If you’re setting up a new account, you’re asked to create a passkey—no password required.

They’ve also partnered with the FIDO Alliance to standardize how passkeys are used across platforms and apps, including compatibility with Windows Hello and mobile authenticators.

2. Google Workspace Goes Passwordless for Teams

Google took it up a notch by bringing passkeys to Google Workspace accounts. That means businesses using Gmail, Drive, Docs, and other Workspace apps can now allow employees to sign in using passkeys instead of passwords or even traditional 2FA.

Admins can enforce passkey-only sign-ins and monitor usage from the admin console. For large teams, this eliminates a huge pain point: managing password resets and reducing risk from reused or weak credentials.

3. Apple Expands Cross-Device Sync

Apple has quietly made passkey syncing more powerful through iCloud Keychain. Passkeys created on your iPhone or Mac automatically sync across all your Apple devices (iPad, Apple Watch, etc.), making them even easier to use.

And with iOS 17, Apple introduced third-party passkey sharing, so you can share secure logins with trusted contacts, like a family member or colleague, without ever revealing a password.

What About Teams and Businesses?

We often think of authentication in terms of personal accounts, but teams are reaping massive benefits from the passkey movement, too.

In traditional setups, IT departments spend countless hours helping staff reset passwords, roll out MFA policies, or deal with compromised credentials. With passkeys, those issues vanish.

Password fatigue is real. When employees have to remember and handle various accounts with passwords, password fatigue is common. This in turn leads to reusing passwords or storing them in documents or any place of their choice.

Passkeys remove the friction. Logins become as simple as approving a biometric check on your phone or laptop.

Security, Convenience, and Peace of Mind

One of the most compelling reasons to adopt passkeys is their built-in phishing resistance.

With traditional passwords, a well-crafted phishing email can trick users into entering credentials on a fake website. Even 2FA codes can be intercepted.

But with passkeys? That’s not possible.

Passkeys are domain-bound, which means the digital key won’t even activate on a fake or malicious site. There’s no field to enter your password. No prompt to send a verification code. If the domain doesn’t match, the login attempt simply fails.

That’s huge.

And from a user perspective, the convenience is unbeatable. No more remembering strings like “Myd0g$123!” or waiting for reset emails. Just tap, scan, or click—and you’re in.

Will Passkeys Replace Passwords Completely?

We’re getting there.

While passwords won’t disappear overnight, we’re seeing major steps toward a passwordless future. Apple, Google, Microsoft, and hundreds of major websites—from Amazon to Uber to GitHub—are already onboard. Many now offer passkey login by default.

The FIDO Alliance, the organization driving passkey standards, refers to this new model as multi-device FIDO credentials. It’s not a “maybe someday” technology. It’s here, now, and rapidly expanding.

How to Get Started with Passkeys Today

Ready to give it a try?

Start with these easy steps:

• Switch to a tool that supports passkeys.
• Visit supported websites like Google, Amazon, or GitHub and look for “Login with passkey” options.
• Create your first passkey using your phone, laptop, or tablet.
• Test it out—you’ll quickly see how smooth and secure the process is.

If you’re running a business, consider enabling passkey support for your team. Whether you’re using Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or a custom portal, the tools are there—and the benefits are massive.

Ready to Go Passwordless with Microsoft 365?

Passkeys offer a better, safer, and more user-friendly way to sign in. The old world of forgotten passwords, security questions, and reset links is fading fast. In its place, we’re seeing the rise of login methods that actually work, with fewer risks and less hassle.

At C Solutions IT, we help individuals and businesses transition to safer, smarter authentication systems. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or managing a full team, we can walk you through setting up passkeys, integrating passwordless tools, and securing your digital ecosystem.

Reach out to our team today and take the first step toward passwordless security. It’s time to ditch the passwords and take charge of your future.