What is a passkey, how does it work, and why is it better than a password?

Governments and cybersecurity agencies are increasingly encouraging users to move away from traditional passwords and adopt passkeys. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has recently stated that passkeys should now be the preferred login method wherever they are available, due to stronger protection against modern cyber threats.

What is a passkey?

A passkey is a password-free login system stored securely on your personal device such as a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. Instead of typing a password, you verify your identity using your device’s built-in security features like facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, or a device PIN.

Once verified, the device confirms your identity to the app or website using a secure digital credential. Each account has a unique passkey, making it far more secure than reusable passwords.

How does a passkey work?

When you try to log in:

• The website or app sends a request to your device
• Your device verifies you using biometrics or PIN
• After confirmation, a secure cryptographic key is used to sign you in
• This process happens locally on your device, meaning sensitive data is never exposed

Even if a website is hacked, attackers cannot use passkeys because the private authentication key never leaves the user’s device.

How to set up a passkey

Users can usually enable passkeys in:

• Account security settings
• Privacy settings of supported apps and websites
• Prompts during new account creation

Major platforms like Google already support passkeys, and reports suggest that a significant number of users have already started adopting them.

Why are passkeys better than passwords?

Passkeys offer stronger security compared to traditional passwords for several reasons:

• They cannot be stolen through phishing attacks
• They are not stored on servers in a readable format
• They eliminate the need to remember complex passwords
• They reduce reliance on risky password reuse
• They work with biometric authentication for added protection

Experts highlight that even large password leaks on the internet often involve weak or reused passwords, making traditional login methods highly vulnerable.

Are passkeys completely secure?

While passkeys are highly secure, cybersecurity experts note that device security still matters. If someone gains access to your phone and knows your PIN, they could potentially misuse it. However, biometric protection like face or fingerprint recognition significantly reduces this risk.

Conclusion

Passkeys represent a major shift in online security, replacing traditional passwords with stronger, device-based authentication. They are faster, more secure, and resistant to phishing, making them the recommended future standard for logging into apps and websites.