Passkeys & FIDO2 Implementation

What are Passkeys?

Passkeys are a modern, passwordless way to sign in that replaces traditional passwords with cryptographic credentials. Instead of asking users to remember and type a password, passkeys use something they already have, like their device, and something they are, such as a fingerprint or face scan.

Technically, passkeys are based on FIDO2 and WebAuthn standards. A unique private key is securely stored on the user’s device, while a public key is registered with the application. During login, these keys are matched without ever sharing secrets, making passkeys highly resistant to phishing, credential stuffing, and password reuse attacks.

For users, the experience is simple and fast - no passwords to create, forget, or reset. For businesses, passkeys reduce login friction while significantly improving security and conversion rates.

LoginRadius enables passkey-based authentication as part of its CIAM platform, with support for FIDO2/WebAuthn standards. It allows businesses to roll out passkeys alongside existing login methods, customize authentication flows, and scale passwordless experiences securely across web and mobile applications.

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Are Passkeys More Secure Than Passwords?

Yes, passkeys are significantly more secure than traditional passwords.

Passwords rely on shared secrets that users must remember and reuse. This makes them vulnerable to phishing, credential stuffing, brute-force attacks, and data breaches. If a password is compromised, attackers can gain full access until it’s changed - often too late.

Passkeys work differently. They are based on public-key cryptography and FIDO2/WebAuthn standards. The private key never leaves the user’s device and cannot be phished, guessed, or reused across sites. Even if a service is breached, attackers only obtain public keys, which are useless on their own. Authentication also requires device-level verification like biometrics or secure PINs, adding a built-in second factor.

From a business perspective, passkeys dramatically reduce account takeover risk while improving login success rates. From a user perspective, they eliminate forgotten passwords and reset flows entirely, without sacrificing security.

LoginRadius supports passkey authentication as part of its CIAM platform, enabling phishing-resistant, passwordless login experiences. Organizations can deploy passkeys alongside existing methods, customize user journeys, and scale secure authentication across applications without disrupting users.

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Do Passkeys Require Special Hardware?

No, passkeys do not require special hardware in most cases.

Passkeys are designed to work with devices users already have, such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Modern operating systems and browsers support passkeys natively and use built-in security features like device secure enclaves, fingerprint scanners, or face recognition to protect private keys. This means users can authenticate with a simple biometric scan or device PIN.

For users without biometrics, passkeys can still work using secure device authentication methods, and they can be synced safely across trusted devices through platform providers. There’s no need to purchase or distribute dedicated hardware tokens unless an organization requires them for advanced security policies.

This makes passkeys practical to deploy at scale, without adding friction for users or operational overhead for businesses.

LoginRadius enables passkey authentication using standard FIDO2 and WebAuthn support, working across common browsers and devices. It allows organizations to offer passkeys as part of flexible login flows, ensuring strong security without requiring specialized hardware.

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What is a Passkey Credential?

A passkey credential is a cryptographic login credential created for a specific user and application. Unlike a password, it does not rely on a shared secret. Instead, it uses a pair of cryptographic keys to prove a user’s identity securely.

When a passkey credential is created, a private key is generated and securely stored on the user’s device, while the corresponding public key is registered with the application. During login, the device signs a challenge using the private key, and the application verifies it using the public key, without any sensitive data being transmitted or exposed.

Each passkey credential is unique to a single application and cannot be reused across sites. This makes it inherently resistant to phishing, credential stuffing, and replay attacks. Even if a database is compromised, passkey credentials remain safe because private keys never leave the device.

LoginRadius supports the creation and management of passkey credentials using FIDO2 and WebAuthn standards. It enables businesses to integrate passkeys into existing authentication flows, manage user credentials centrally, and deliver secure, passwordless experiences at scale.

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What is FIDO2 and WebAuthn?

FIDO2 and WebAuthn are open standards that enable secure, passwordless authentication on the web and mobile applications.

WebAuthn (Web Authentication) is a browser and platform standard developed by the W3C. It defines how applications communicate with authenticators—such as devices, biometrics, or security keys—to register and authenticate users without passwords. WebAuthn ensures that authentication requests are bound to the correct website, making phishing attacks ineffective.

FIDO2 is the broader framework created by the FIDO Alliance. It combines WebAuthn with the Client to Authenticator Protocol (CTAP), which allows browsers and operating systems to interact with authenticators. Together, they use public-key cryptography so private keys never leave the user’s device.

This approach eliminates shared secrets, reduces breach impact, and delivers a faster, simpler login experience for users—while meeting modern security and compliance expectations for businesses.

LoginRadius supports FIDO2 and WebAuthn as part of its CIAM platform. It allows organizations to implement standards-based passkeys, customize authentication flows, and scale passwordless login securely across web and mobile environments.

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Can CIAM Support Cross-Device Passkey Use?

Yes, CIAM platforms can support cross-device passkey use.

Passkeys are designed to work across a user’s trusted devices, not just a single phone or laptop. Modern platforms allow passkeys to be securely synced through operating system or browser ecosystems, enabling users to authenticate on a new device without re-registering from scratch. In some cases, users can also sign in on one device by approving the login from another nearby device, keeping the private key protected at all times.

This cross-device capability is built into FIDO2 and WebAuthn standards. It ensures that authentication remains phishing-resistant while offering flexibility for real-world user behavior—switching devices, upgrading hardware, or accessing applications from different environments.

For businesses, this means strong security without sacrificing usability. Users get seamless access, while organizations avoid password recovery flows and support overhead.

LoginRadius supports standards-based passkey authentication within its CIAM platform. It enables cross-device friendly login experiences, flexible authentication journeys, and centralized identity management - helping teams deliver secure, passwordless access at scale across web and mobile applications.

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Why are Passkeys Becoming Popular?

Passkeys are becoming popular because they solve the biggest problems with passwords—security risks and poor user experience.

Passwords are easy to steal, reuse, and forget. Phishing, credential stuffing, and data breaches have made password-based login unreliable at scale. Passkeys remove these risks by using cryptographic keys that are never shared or stored on servers, making them inherently phishing-resistant.

At the same time, passkeys are easier for users. Logging in with a fingerprint, face scan, or device approval is faster than typing passwords or handling resets. This improves sign-in success rates, reduces drop-offs, and lowers support costs. With built-in support across modern browsers and operating systems, passkeys also work naturally across devices.

For businesses, passkeys strike the right balance between strong security, compliance readiness, and better conversion—without adding friction.

Using LoginRadius, organizations can easily introduce passkeys alongside existing authentication methods, customize user journeys, and scale secure, passwordless experiences across web and mobile applications.

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Does LoginRadius Support Passkeys and Passwordless Login?

Yes, LoginRadius supports both passkeys and passwordless login. LoginRadius delivers passkey functions out of the box, adhering to the FIDO2 standard (WebAuthn & CTAP2). They also provide SDKs and libraries for various platforms (Android, iOS, web apps) to integrate passkeys into user-facing applications. Furthermore, LoginRadius supports passwordless login through methods like one-time passcodes (OTP) via email or SMS and magic links, enabling users to authenticate without traditional passwords.

LoginRadius offers features to build passwordless user flows with an orchestration engine using a drag-and-drop canvas to customize user journeys. They also support progressive enrollment, allowing existing users to flexibly decide when to switch to passwordless authentication. The platform generates unique and secure authentication tokens embedded in magic links.

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