Passkeys to replace Passwords: What It Means for Your Business

When was the last time you thought about how you log in to your accounts? Or how secure those logins really are?

For decades, passwords have been the norm. But let’s face it: they’re are a pain. They’re easy to forget, often reused, and a prime target for cybercriminals.

That’s where passkeys come in. And now, Microsoft is making them easier than ever to use in Windows.

PS if you save your passwords anywhere that isn’t a password manager. Delete or bin them immediately and do better.

What Exactly Is a Passkey?

A passkey is the modern replacement for your password. Instead of typing in your password “Barney030515” (mixing your dog’s name and your middle child’s DOB isn’t secure by the way), you sign in using something far safer: your face, fingerprint, or a secure PIN tied to your device.

Behind the scenes, passkeys use advanced cryptography (don’t worry about the technical know-how, just trust us here). There’s no password for hackers to steal because the passkey is split into two parts:

• One stays on your device.
• One stays with the service you’re logging into.

They work together like the lock on your door and your key does. But the key never leaves your pocket (in this case, device). That means phishing scams have a much harder time tricking you, as they would need either your face or fingerprint, or physically require your device.

What’s Changing in Windows?

Until now, using passkeys in Windows has been, let’s be honest, a little clunky. You often had to rely on third-party apps, and setup wasn’t always clear.

Microsoft is fixing that. Windows 11 is rolling out new features that make passkeys easier to use and manage.

Here’s what’s new:

• Integration with 1Password: If you use 1Password, syncing your passkeys will be smooth.
• Support for other password managers: Microsoft has released tools so other password managers, like Keeper Security, can integrate easily.
• A clear shift away from passwords: The Microsoft Authenticator app is phasing out password management. Passkeys will become the default method for signing in to Microsoft accounts.

Right now, these updates are in preview builds of Windows 11, but this is a clear sign of the future: passwords are so 2024 and passkeys are the new black.

What Does This Mean for Your Business?

Here’s the bottom line: passwords are one of the weakest links in your security. If your team is still relying on them without the safety net of passkeys (or another type of MFA), you’re at higher risk of phishing attacks and data breaches.

Passkeys are:

• More secure (harder to steal, harder to phish)
• Easier for staff (no more forgotten passwords)
• Aligned with where the industry is heading

This isn’t just a shiny tech upgrade designed to make Windows 11 stand out, it’s a must-have security upgrade that reduces risk and improves productivity.

How Hard are Passkeys to use?

The good news? If you’re already using Microsoft 365 and Windows 11, you’re halfway there. Here’s what using passkeys looks like:

• Enable passkey support in your Microsoft environment.
• Update your devices: Passkeys work best on Windows 11, and if you’re still on Windows 10 without a good reason, you have bigger worries than the ability to use passkeys.
• Integrate with your password manager: Tools like 1Password, Keeper, or Bitwarden now support passkeys.
• Train your team: A short session on how to use passkeys will prevent confusion and reduce support tickets.

How much do Passkeys cost?

If you’re on Microsoft 365, the core passkey functionality is included (no extra cost).
However, if you want to manage passkeys across multiple apps and devices, you’ll likely need a password manager.

How much do password managers cost?

Passkeys are the future, but the reality is: not every app or system supports them yet. That means your business will need to manage a mix of old passwords and new passkeys for the foreseeable.

The easiest way to do that? A business-grade password manager.

It keeps everything secure in one place and supports passkeys as they roll out across your apps.

The cost? From just £4.50 per user, per month.

Don’t forget. To make it work for your business, you need:

• Proper setup and integration with your systems
• Onboarding so your team actually uses it
• Training to make adoption stick
• Ongoing support when questions pop up

That’s where an award-winning Managed Service Provider, like AAG IT Services, comes in.

We don’t just sell you the software; we implement the change management and integrate it into your security strategy. Why? So, when Microsoft says “passwords are dead,” your business is ready.

That’s the benefit of a proactive IT support provider.

Our Take

This change by Microsoft is a big step forward for security and usability. Businesses that adopt passkeys early will not only reduce their risk but also make life easier for their teams. The alternative means staying stuck with passwords and all the headaches that come with them.

If you’d like help understanding passkeys or preparing your business for a password-free future, get in touch with us today.