Say Goodbye to Passwords

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For decades, passwords have served as the gatekeepers of our digital lives, but they have also been one of the weakest links.  However, we are now witnessing a significant shift in how people secure their accounts, driven by innovations from Microsoft and a growing industry commitment to enhanced security: passkeys.

Ten years ago, Microsoft launched Windows Hello, allowing users to log in with a fingerprint, facial recognition, or a PIN instead of a password.  Today, over 99% of Microsoft account holders using Windows devices sign in through Windows Hello.  However, in an ever-evolving digital landscape, local device sign-ins are no longer sufficient.

That’s where passkeys come in—an industry-standard authentication method developed in collaboration with the FIDO Alliance.  Passkeys eliminate the need to remember and manage passwords, making them more resistant to phishing and data breaches. While passwords can be stolen, guessed, or phished, passkeys provide a more secure alternative by relying on device-specific biometric authentication or PINs. They are already supported by hundreds of major platforms, safeguarding billions of accounts across the internet.

Cyberattacks are more aggressive than ever.  Last year alone, Microsoft recorded 7,000 password attacks per second—more than double the rate from the previous year.  As passkeys grow in popularity, hackers are doubling down on vulnerable, password-protected accounts.

Moving away from passwords isn’t just a convenience—it’s critical for security.

In 2023, Microsoft introduced passkey support across its consumer services, including Xbox and Copilot.  Adoption has been rapid, with nearly 1 million new passkeys registered each day.

So, what’s driving the shift?

  • 3x more successful logins compared to passwords (98% vs. 32%)
  • 8x faster sign-in times than traditional methods
  • No more complex passwords or one-time codes

Here’s what Microsoft is doing to help users go password-free:

  1. A New Look for Signing In
    They’ve refreshed the sign-in experience to make it more user-friendly and geared toward passkeys.
  2. New Accounts, No Passwords
    Creating a new Microsoft account?  You won’t need to set a password at all.
  3. Smarter Login Suggestions
    Microsoft now recommends the safest login option by default.  If you have a passkey, you’ll be prompted to use it.  If not, they’ll encourage you to set one up.

Passwords have served their purpose, but they’ve become more of a liability than a safeguard.  According to the FIDO Alliance, more than 15 billion accounts already support passkey sign-in, and this number is growing daily.

Contact the BizWise IT team for any queries you may have about making the switch.  We take pride in supporting businesses across Crawley, Gatwick, and the wider West Sussex region, and we’re here to assist you!          

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