Major tech giants Microsoft, Apple, and Google are intensifying their commitment to the FIDO passwordless authentication standard.

In a significant move towards enhancing digital security across multiple platforms and devices, Microsoft, Google, and Apple have pledged to adopt passwordless authentication methods. According to Gartner research, by 2025, more than 20% of customer authentication transactions and over 50% of the workforce will be passwordless.

For years, passwords have been the primary method for authentication in both personal and corporate digital environments. However, the increasing number of password attacks, with more than 921 attempts every second according to Vasu Jakkal, Microsoft's corporate VP, has prompted a shift towards more secure methods.

The FIDO Alliance and World Wide Web Consortium's passwordless standard has been agreed upon for expansion by these tech giants. Users will be able to access FIDO sign-in credentials, known as passkeys, without the need for reenrolling on multiple devices.

The enhanced support allows users to use FIDO authentication on a mobile device to sign in on a nearby device, regardless of the operating system or browser. This means a seamless and secure login experience for users across various devices.

Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, supports this move, stating that it helps enhance online security. The primary use case for the expanded support is for consumer service providers, but small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and enterprises may also use the enhanced standard to boost multi-factor authentication (MFA) adoption.

Inside companies, passwords are one of the few methods to ensure authorized access to sensitive information. However, with the increased risk of password attacks, the move towards passwordless authentication is a step towards a more secure digital future.

Andrew Shikiar, FIDO executive director and CMO, emphasizes that an enterprise has flexibility in granting access based on authentication signals. This means that businesses can still maintain control over who has access to their sensitive information while moving away from traditional password-based authentication.

Gartner also predicts that more than 25% of MFA transactions using a token will be based on FIDO authentication protocols by 2025. This indicates a significant shift towards more secure authentication methods across the industry.

Currently, only 22% of corporate workers use multi-factor authentication, according to Microsoft data. The expanded support aims to change this trend, making digital environments safer for everyone.

The move towards passwordless authentication is a step towards a more secure digital future, with major IT providers working towards eliminating dependence on passwords across the consumer and enterprise space.

Major tech giants Microsoft, Apple, and Google are intensifying their commitment to the FIDO passwordless authentication standard.