It was announced that Google Account users used passkeys for authentication more than 1 billion times, but according to the report, it seems that passwords will remain in our lives for a while longer.
What is Passkey and How Works?
Passkeys comprise two cryptographic keys: a public key, registered with the online service or app, and a private key stored on a device like a smartphone or computer.
To log in with a passkey, users employ familiar methods such as facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, or entering a PIN, akin to unlocking a smartphone.
Usage of Passkeys Increasing
In a recent blog post, Heather Adkins, Google’s VP of Security Engineering, disclosed that since the introduction of passkeys on World Password Day 2022, more than 400 million Google Accounts have embraced this enhanced security measure.
Additionally, users have surpassed 1 billion authentications collectively, indicating a significant uptick in adoption and utilization of this modern security feature.
Thus, the adoption of passkeys for Google Accounts has eclipsed traditional forms of two-step verification (2SV), such as SMS-based one-time passwords (OTPs) and app-based OTPs (like those used in Authenticator apps).
According Google, passkey users enjoy login times that are 50% quicker than those using passwords, thereby bolstering both the security and efficiency of their authentication procedures.
Google Plans to Integrate Passkeys to APP
Google has also unveiled intentions to incorporate passkeys into its Advanced Protection Program (APP), which provides heightened security protocols for high-risk Google Account users, such as activists, politicians, and journalists.
Soon, participants in this program will have the choice to exclusively adopt passkeys or to utilize them alongside traditional passwords or hardware security keys.
Conclusion
Google’s adoption of passkeys signals a significant shift in authentication security, with over 400 million accounts secured and 1 billion authentications logged.
The efficiency of passwordless keys, with 50% faster login times, and their integration into the Advanced Protection Program, indicate a trend towards increased adoption of passwordless keys in the future.
Check out more articles about cyber security.