PassKeys use cryptographic authentication, which means there’s no password to steal, guess, or reuse. In contrast, email/password systems rely on passwords, which are often weak or reused across sites. PassKeys are resistant to phishing attacks because they rely on public-key cryptography. They won’t work on fraudulent websites, as the cryptographic keys are tied to the legitimate domain. Email/password systems, even with 2FA, can still be compromised if users are tricked into revealing credentials.

With PassKeys, the private key never leaves the user’s device and is never shared with the server. This significantly reduces the risk of breaches. Email/password systems store hashed passwords on servers, which can still be targeted in data breaches. PassKeys use biometrics or device authentication (e.g., PIN or fingerprint), making them not only more secure but also more user-friendly compared to entering passwords and additional 2FA codes.

Building a full server-based WebAuthN Passkey solution is no small task—it requires weeks of programming time, even for experienced JavaScript developers. On top of that, there’s a significant client-side implementation needed for PassKeys, whether for native mobile operating systems or web applications. This can add months of development to an already tight timeline.

With Cosync AppKey, you can implement Passkey authentication in just a few hours! If maximizing productivity and minimizing overhead are your priorities, Cosync AppKey is the solution you’ve been looking for.

PassKeys offer unparalleled flexibility for your application’s security. Use them as your primary authentication method to replace traditional email/password logins, or as a superior alternative to traditional multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Unlike SMS-based 2FA, which is vulnerable to SIM swapping, interception, and social engineering attacks, PassKeys eliminate these risks entirely. By leveraging secure, phishing-resistant cryptographic authentication, PassKeys provide a more robust and reliable way to protect your users and your application.

The Federal Government’s Login.gov website currently utilizes PassKeys as a second-factor authentication method.

For most medium-sized applications with up to 10,000 users, the hosted version of Passkey offers all the functionality you need. However, certain customer scenarios demand that all authentication software run exclusively on their own infrastructure.

To meet these needs, Cosync is developing an Enterprise version of AppKey. This version will be fully deployable on your servers, providing complete control over your authentication processes. Delivered as a Docker container, it ensures seamless installation and integration into your infrastructure.

Cosync is actively collaborating with Feitian to integrate support for their hardware FIDO2 keys. This functionality is planned for release in early 2025.