Passwordless authentication and passkeys
All AmbiSecure engineering content tagged Passwordless, newest first. Newer entries reflect current thinking; earlier entries come from the engineering archive.
Passwordless authentication removes the shared secret entirely, replacing it with a cryptographic credential the user proves possession of — a passkey, FIDO2 security key, or smart card. Because there is no password to phish, reuse, or leak, passwordless done with hardware-bound credentials closes the most exploited attack path in enterprise security.
This category collects writing on passwordless architecture: FIDO2 and passkeys, platform versus roaming authenticators, credential lifecycle, and the migration path from passwords and OTPs. The recurring theme is that passwordless is only as strong as the credential's binding — hardware-held, origin-bound keys deliver the full benefit.
Articles tagged Passwordless
Implementing FIDO2 Authentication — A Complete Developer Guide
Designing Enterprise Passwordless Systems
Passkeys vs Traditional MFA
What is Passwordless Authentication?
Is Passwordless the future?
Fast Identity Online (FIDO)
Frequently asked questions
Is passwordless authentication actually more secure?
Yes, when built on hardware-bound public-key credentials: there is no shared secret to phish or leak, and the authenticating key never leaves the device, which eliminates password reuse and most phishing.
What is a passkey?
A passkey is a FIDO2/WebAuthn credential used in place of a password. It can be synced across a user's devices or bound to a single hardware authenticator; the hardware-bound form is the strongest.
Do I still need a second factor if I go passwordless?
A hardware passkey is itself a strong, phishing-resistant factor combining possession with a local user gesture (PIN or biometric), so it can satisfy multi-factor requirements on its own.
What is the difference between a device-bound credential and a synced passkey?
A device-bound credential never leaves the authenticator that created it. A synced passkey is copied between a user's devices through a platform account, trading some assurance for recoverability.
How do you roll passwordless out across an existing estate?
Incrementally, and alongside what is already there. Most programmes enrol hardware credentials for high-value access first and retire passwords per application, because the hard part is integration rather than the login screen.