What is the Difference Between FIDO2 and Passkeys?

FIDO2 is a set of standards for secure, passwordless online authentication, while passkeys are an implementation of these standards, commonly known as FIDO multi-device credentials.

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FIDO2 and passkeys both aim to replace traditional passwords with more secure and user-friendly alternatives, but they serve slightly different roles within the authentication ecosystem.

FIDO2 is a comprehensive standard developed by the FIDO Alliance, which includes two key components:

• WebAuthn: A web standard that enables browsers and other web platform infrastructure to use FIDO-based authentication.
• Client to Authenticator Protocol (CTAP): A protocol that allows external authenticators, such as hardware tokens or mobile devices, to communicate with a user's device.

FIDO2 is designed to offer strong, phishing-resistant authentication by using public-key cryptography. The user’s private key remains securely on their device, while the public key is shared with the service they are logging into. This method ensures that even if the public key is compromised, it cannot be used to impersonate the user.

Passkeys are essentially FIDO2 credentials that are easier to manage and use across multiple devices. They are stored in a way that allows them to be synchronized securely across a user’s ecosystem of devices (like phones, tablets, and computers) via cloud services (like iCloud Keychain) or third-party password managers (like 1Password or Dashlane). This makes it possible for users to authenticate across different platforms without needing to set up individual credentials for each one.

• User Experience: Passkeys are designed to be straightforward for end-users. For example, users might authenticate with their fingerprint or facial recognition, which triggers the underlying FIDO2 process.
• Multi-Device Convenience: Passkeys enable a seamless authentication experience across different devices without needing to transfer keys manually.

• Scope: FIDO2 is a broader standard encompassing various protocols and frameworks, while passkeys are a specific implementation of these protocols.
• Usage: Passkeys are typically what users interact with, making them more consumer-friendly, while FIDO2 is more relevant to developers and security architects.
• Accessibility: Passkeys provide a simplified and unified experience across devices, making them easier to adopt for both users and developers.

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