Passwords aren't designed for the scale of today’s digital world. FIDO2 offers a different path—secure, seamless, and built for the future.
According to IBM’s 2025 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index, abuse of valid accounts was the top entry point for attackers, accounting for 30% of all incidents. Despite decades of improvements in identity management, traditional credentials remain a weak link in enterprise security.
That’s changing. The rise of FIDO2 signals a shift away from password-based models toward something fundamentally different: secure, intuitive access that is no longer reliant on shared secrets.
FIDO2 enables passwordless login using cryptographic credentials stored securely on a user’s device. Instead of relying on passwords, authentication occurs locally, triggered by something the user has (a device) and something they are (such as a fingerprint or facial scan).
This approach inherently promotes two-factor authentication, combining device possession with biometric or PIN-based verification, without requiring users to manage multiple steps.
Where passwords depend on memory and repetition, FIDO2 builds trust through cryptographic proof that is unique to the user and linked to their device. It also lays the groundwork for passkeys (credentials stored securely across devices) that enable cross-platform login without the use of traditional passwords.
This method closes common attack paths—like phishing, credential stuffing, and brute-force guessing—by eliminating vulnerable elements altogether.
Traditional MFA (Multi-factor Authentication) has improved security, often at the expense of user experience. Many methods still rely on shared secrets, such as OTPs or email links, that can be intercepted or simply wear down users over time.
FIDO2 introduces a new model. Authentication becomes faster, less intrusive, and more consistent across platforms. Instead of layering complexity, it simplifies trust.
Several forces are converging to accelerate adoption:
These drivers are creating momentum. But beyond strategy and compliance, something else is shifting: expectations.
Users have grown weary of login friction. They are increasingly attuned to experiences that function securely, quietly, and without constant prompts or password resets. FIDO2 addresses that need. In many environments, users don’t need to understand its mechanics. They unlock their device and proceed with built-in trust, not bolted-on.
Implementing passwordless authentication with FIDO2 requires careful preparation. Success hinges on practical considerations:
Organizations approaching FIDO2 strategically should view it not as a replacement feature but as a shift in infrastructure that supports future scalability and resilience.
FIDO2 represents a broader movement toward identity that is context-aware, device-native, and secure without being disruptive. As support for passkeys grows, users will begin to expect passwordless access across work and personal systems. As these expectations rise, so will the definition of trust in authentication.
We are getting closer to a model where authentication is no longer defined by steps or credentials but by seamless trust, flowing quietly in the background of everyday work.
The path forward is already being paved. FIDO2 just happens to be the standard walking point. For organizations ready to take that step, Smart ID provides a proven, flexible way to put passwordless authentication into practice.
Discover how Smart ID enables FIDO2-based access at scale
to deliver secure, seamless access for your users as they move from password-based models to cross-platform logins.
Published
30/04 2025
