Education
What Is Passkey Authentication?
Passkeys use asymmetric cryptography to authenticate users without reusable secrets. That means lower phishing exposure, fewer password reset loops, and stronger default account protection.
How passkeys work
A private key stays on the user device while the service stores a public key. Authentication proves possession of the private key without sending it.
- No reusable password sent over the network.
- Sign-in requests are bound to origin and context.
- Biometric/PIN unlock remains local to the device.
Why security teams adopt passkeys
Passkeys reduce common takeover paths such as phishing, credential stuffing, and password reuse across unmanaged SaaS accounts.
- Lower account takeover risk in external identity flows.
- Reduced reset/support burden from forgotten passwords.
- Cleaner MFA experience for workforce and customer access.
Migration model for real environments
Most teams transition in phases: enable passkeys first for high-risk users, then expand while legacy credentials remain policy-constrained.
- Start with privileged and security-sensitive roles.
- Keep password fallback gated with strong lock policies.
- Track rollout with audit and risk monitoring signals.
Where Aegis fits
Aegis combines passkey-first account controls with encrypted vault workflows so teams can move faster without weakening password hygiene during migration.
Passkey Rollout Checklist
- Define which identity surfaces move to passkeys first.
- Set clear fallback policy for non-passkey-capable devices.
- Measure sign-in success rate and support friction weekly.
- Document trust controls in privacy/support/security pages.