Yes—start moving toward passkeys, but expect to keep some passwords for now. Passkeys give stronger, easier sign-ins and help block phishing, yet not every app supports them today.
Passwords have been the default for years, but they’re fragile. People reuse them, pick weak ones, and stash them in risky places. That’s a big reason 61% of data breaches involve stolen or hacked logins. For offices around Panama City, that’s too much risk for such a common task: signing in.
What Passkeys Are (And How They Work)
Passkeys replace typing a username and password with a digital credential on your device. When you sign in, your phone or computer proves it’s you by unlocking a stored key—often with Face ID, a fingerprint, or a device PIN. Behind the scenes, it uses public‑key cryptography via Web Authentication (WebAuthn), part of FIDO2. Your private key stays on your device; the website only sees a matching public key. There’s no shared password for criminals to steal.
Why Passkeys Help Businesses
- Stronger protection. Passkeys tie sign-ins to a device you control and a quick check that it’s you. There’s nothing reusable to phish or leak from a database.
- Easier for staff. No more juggling complex passwords or constant resets. Each reset eats time—on average three minutes and 46 seconds—and interrupts work.
- Resistant to phishing. Those fake login pages that trick people into typing passwords don’t work with passkeys. Attackers would also need the user’s device and local unlock to get in.
What To Watch Out For
- Support isn’t universal yet. Many websites and cloud apps still rely on passwords. You’ll likely run a mix of passkeys and passwords until adoption grows.
- Setup and tooling. Passkeys rely on supported devices, browsers, and identity systems. That can mean new software or hardware and some upfront configuration. The payoff is better security and smoother logins over time.
Getting Ready: Passkeys for Business
You don’t have to switch everything at once. A practical path is to start where passkeys are already supported, test with a small group, and expand as your key apps enable them. Make sure critical systems keep a safe backup sign-in method during the transition. Train your team on how passkeys work and what to expect. Your managed IT provider can help map out the rollout and device support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do passkeys replace two-step login?
No. Passkeys handle the main sign-in. Two-step login (also called multi-factor authentication) adds an extra check on top. You can use both together when apps support them.
Will passkeys work on our computers and phones?
Yes, modern computers and mobile devices support passkeys, and you can also use dedicated security keys. Availability depends on the apps and systems you use.
What if someone loses a device with passkeys on it?
Use your account recovery options and a backup sign-in method to regain access, then remove the lost device’s access. Plan these steps before rollout.
Do we still need a password manager?
For any apps that don’t support passkeys yet, yes. As more services add passkeys, you’ll rely on stored passwords less.
Sources and further reading
- 61% of all data breaches involve stolen or hacked credentials
- Average time spent on password resets
- Web Authentication (WebAuthn) overview
Thinking about passkeys for your team? We can help you plan the rollout and keep your sign-ins secure—get in touch.
