Say Goodbye to Passwords Part 2 – Passkeys
Passwords have been around for more than 60 years, but they’re quickly becoming one of the weakest links in cybersecurity. As hackers have become more sophisticated, businesses have responded by adding Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), requiring a second step—such as a text message or authentication app—to verify your identity.
As I wrote in Say Goodbye to Passwords almost two years ago (https://www.spotlink.com/blog/passwordless/), the tech industry is taking the next step: eliminating passwords altogether. That trend is accelerating, and it is now becoming enforced for some services.
You’ve probably already used passwordless technology without realizing it. Unlocking your phone with a fingerprint or facial recognition is a form of passwordless authentication. The latest evolution is called a passkey.
A passkey allows you to securely log in without remembering a password. Instead, your device uses advanced encryption to confirm your identity behind the scenes. The result is a login process that’s faster, simpler, and much more resistant to phishing attacks and stolen credentials.
For users, the experience is easy. In most cases, signing in is as simple as looking at your device, touching a fingerprint reader, or entering the PIN you already use on your device. No passwords to remember, no MFA codes to enter, and fewer opportunities for criminals to trick you into giving away access.
And this shift is happening sooner than many people realize. Microsoft recently announced that beginning September 1, 2026, passkeys will become the default authentication experience for many Microsoft 365 users. Microsoft-provided SMS and voice verification methods will be retired on February 1, 2027, pushing organizations toward passkeys and other phishing-resistant login methods.
Google is moving in the same direction. The company has begun requiring passkeys for certain administrative and security-sensitive functions, while continuing to expand passkey support across its platforms.
Like any new technology, passkeys are still evolving, and the setup can vary between devices and software vendors. But one thing is clear: the major technology companies are betting that passkeys are the future.
The Bottom Line: Passkeys make logging in easier and more secure. By becoming familiar with them now, you’ll improve your security, simplify the login experience, and avoid scrambling to adapt when passwordless access becomes the new standard.
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Robert Hood
CEO & Founder
SpotLink®
Author’s Note: I write my own blogs. That’s unusual. Blogs are often authored by a service and then reposted, especially in IT, or written by AI from a few key words. Instead, I choose the topics that might be of most interest to our clients and write to them – to you – directly. While it does take a little more time to write my own content, it does mean that we are well versed in the subjects I send to you. So, please always feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or comments about anything I write, including any topics you’d like to learn more about. Thank you. – Robert Hood.
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