Passwords have been part of digital security for decades, but they are also one of its most common weak points.
Weak passwords, password reuse, phishing attacks and credential theft continue to create security risks for organisations of every size. This is one of the reasons why more businesses are moving towards passwordless authentication, with FIDO becoming an important part of this transition.
FIDO stands for Fast Identity Online.
FIDO authentication standards are designed to provide a more secure and convenient way to verify a user’s identity without relying on traditional passwords.
Instead of authenticating users through a password stored or transmitted to a server, FIDO uses public-key cryptography.
When a user registers a FIDO-enabled device or credential, two cryptographic keys are created:
During authentication, the private key is used to confirm the user’s identity without being transmitted to the service.
This approach significantly reduces the risk associated with stolen passwords and credential databases.
FIDO2 is a set of standards developed to enable secure authentication across websites, applications and devices.
It combines two main technologies:
WebAuthn, the web authentication standard supported by modern browsers and operating systems, and CTAP, which allows external authenticators such as security keys, smart cards or mobile devices to communicate with a computer or another device.
Together, these technologies make it possible for users to authenticate using methods such as:
Passwords depend heavily on user behaviour.
Even organisations with strong password policies can face problems when employees reuse credentials, choose predictable passwords or unintentionally provide them through phishing websites.
Password databases are also attractive targets for attackers.
FIDO changes the authentication model by ensuring that the secret used to authenticate the user remains on the device.
Because the private credential is never shared with the service, attackers cannot simply obtain a reusable password through a phishing page.
One of the most important advantages of FIDO authentication is its resistance to traditional phishing attacks.
A FIDO credential is associated with the legitimate website or service for which it was created.
This means that even if a user is redirected to a convincing fraudulent website, the authenticator will not provide valid authentication credentials to the incorrect domain.
For businesses, this can provide an additional layer of protection for critical systems, administrative accounts and sensitive applications.
Passkeys are a modern implementation of FIDO authentication designed to replace passwords with cryptographic credentials.
Instead of remembering a password, users can authenticate using the security capabilities already available on their devices, such as:
The result is an authentication experience that can be both easier for users and more resistant to credential theft.
For organisations with stronger security requirements, dedicated authentication devices can provide additional control.
Smart cards and hardware security keys can securely store cryptographic credentials and can be issued, managed and revoked by an organisation.
Solutions such as HID Crescendo combine smart-card capabilities with support for modern authentication technologies, including FIDO.
Compatible readers can then allow the same credential ecosystem to be used across different business environments.
Some HID OMNIKEY readers available through Insetis support FIDO/FIDO2 NFC authenticators, including HID Crescendo smart cards and security keys.
Modern identity systems increasingly connect physical and digital security.
An employee may need to:
Instead of managing completely separate credentials for each environment, organisations can develop a more unified identity strategy.
Smart credentials, mobile identities and modern authentication standards can help connect physical access control with digital authentication.
Moving towards FIDO-based authentication can provide several advantages:
Improved security
Cryptographic authentication reduces dependence on passwords and helps protect against credential theft and phishing.
Better user experience
Users no longer need to remember multiple complex passwords.
Reduced password-related support
Password resets and locked accounts can generate significant administrative overhead for IT teams.
Stronger identity assurance
Hardware-backed credentials and biometric verification can provide additional confidence that the person authenticating is the authorised user.
A path towards passwordless infrastructure
FIDO allows organisations to gradually introduce passwordless authentication while integrating it with existing identity and access systems.
The transition does not necessarily need to happen all at once.
Many organisations begin with accounts that have the highest security requirements, such as administrators, executives, IT teams or employees accessing sensitive systems.
From there, passwordless authentication can gradually be expanded across the organisation.
The appropriate architecture depends on the existing infrastructure, identity providers, applications and physical access systems already in place.
Authentication is increasingly becoming part of a broader identity ecosystem.
Physical access, digital authentication, mobile credentials, smart cards, biometrics and passwordless technologies can work together to provide a more consistent and secure experience.
At Insetis, we work with professional identity and access technologies designed to help organisations modernise how users access both physical and digital resources.
Explore our solutions and discover how technologies such as FIDO, smart credentials and modern access control can become part of your organisation’s security strategy.
