The Passwordless Authentication with Passkey Technology from an Implementation Perspective

TL;DR

This paper examines the implementation of Passkey technology as a secure, passwordless authentication method, comparing it with TOTP, and discusses practical considerations for integrating these systems to enhance security and usability.

Contribution

It provides an implementation-focused analysis of Passkey technology, highlighting key techniques, integration considerations, and security benefits over traditional password-based methods.

Findings

Passkeys offer superior security against common attacks.

Implementation considerations are crucial for effective adoption.

Passkeys demonstrate promising potential for widespread use.

Abstract

With the rise of sophisticated authentication bypass techniques, passwords are no longer considered a reliable method for securing authentication systems. In recent years, new authentication technologies have shifted from traditional password-based logins to passwordless security. Among these, Time-Based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) remain one of the most widely used mechanisms, while Passkeys are emerging as a promising alternative with growing adoption. This paper highlights the key techniques used during the implementation of the authentication system with Passkey technology. It also suggests considerations for integrating components during system development to ensure that users can securely access their accounts with minimal complexity, while still meeting the requirements of a robust authentication system that balances security, usability, and performance. Additionally, by examining TOTP and Passkey mechanisms from an implementation perspective, this work not only addresses major security concerns such as password leaks, phishing attacks, and susceptibility to brute-force attacks, but also evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of these mechanisms in real-world implementations. This paper demonstrates the superior security of Passkey technology and its potential for broader adoption in secure authentication systems.