Cybersecurity
Passkeys Are Replacing Passwords—Here’s What Your Organization Needs to Know
Passkeys Are Replacing Passwords—Here’s What Your Organization Needs to Know by Todd Moss
I’ve been hearing a lot of frustration lately about passwords—teams struggling to remember them, leaders worried about breaches, and users burned out by constant resets and MFA prompts. And I get it—it’s not just you. We’ve all been there, juggling sticky notes, password managers, or worse: reusing that one familiar password across accounts.
The good news? There’s a better way. It’s called passkeys—and if you haven’t already started thinking about them, now’s the time. This isn’t some distant, bleeding-edge tech. It’s real, it’s here, and it’s quietly changing the way organizations handle access, security, and trust.
In this post, I’ll explain what passkeys are, why they’re safer and simpler than passwords, and what your organization needs to consider before making the switch.
What Are Passkeys?
Let’s strip it down to basics.
A passkey is a modern login credential that replaces your password. It uses cryptography instead of memorization. Think of it like a secure key that only works when you’re physically present—on your phone, computer, or hardware token. It’s stored locally on your device and protected by biometrics (like Face ID or your fingerprint) or your device PIN.
No need to remember it. No chance of typing it wrong. No database for hackers to breach.
Behind the scenes, passkeys use a tech standard called FIDO2/WebAuthn, which pairs a public key (shared with the website or service) with a private key (stored only on your device). When you try to log in, the service challenges your device, and your device proves its identity—without sending the private key over the internet.
That’s a fancy way of saying: you authenticate with your presence, not your memory.
Why Passkeys Are Safer
Here’s the part that should catch the attention of every IT leader and COO:
Passkeys can’t be phished.
They don’t get leaked in data breaches.
And you don’t have to rely on employees creating strong passwords.
When your business depends on people accessing systems securely—from the office, from home, from coffee shops—passwords are a liability. Even with multi-factor authentication (MFA), we’ve seen attackers sidestep security by tricking users into giving up both the password and the second factor.
With passkeys, there’s no shared secret to steal. A hacker on the other side of the world can’t log in as you, because they’d need your actual device and your face or fingerprint to unlock it.
It’s like moving from a padlock anyone can guess or copy… to a house key that only works when you’re standing at the door.
Why It’s Simpler (for Everyone)
Security often comes at the cost of convenience—but passkeys are an exception.
Once someone sets up their passkey, logins become frictionless. No passwords to type or remember. No annoying SMS codes. No panic when someone forgets their login.
For admins and IT teams, that means fewer password resets, fewer support tickets, and less time chasing down access issues. If you’ve ever had to offboard an employee or revoke credentials in a hurry, you’ll appreciate how much cleaner passkey-based systems are.
And here’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough: people want to do the right thing—they’re just overwhelmed. We’ve given them long password rules, forced resets, confusing MFA setups… and we expect them to stay vigilant. Passkeys offer a humane alternative. They’re secure and they feel like they were designed for actual humans.
Okay, But What’s the Catch?
Here’s the part that should catch the attention of every IT leader and COO:
Passkeys can’t be phished.
They don’t get leaked in data breaches.
And you don’t have to rely on employees creating strong passwords.
When your business depends on people accessing systems securely—from the office, from home, from coffee shops—passwords are a liability. Even with multi-factor authentication (MFA), we’ve seen attackers sidestep security by tricking users into giving up both the password and the second factor.
With passkeys, there’s no shared secret to steal. A hacker on the other side of the world can’t log in as you, because they’d need your actual device and your face or fingerprint to unlock it.
It’s like moving from a padlock anyone can guess or copy… to a house key that only works when you’re standing at the door.
Like any meaningful shift in tech, adopting passkeys takes a little planning.
Here are a few things to keep in mind before making the jump:
1. It’s Not an Overnight Switch.
Most platforms now support passkeys (Google, Apple, Microsoft, 1Password, GitHub, etc.). But not every tool in your stack is ready yet. You’ll need to roll this out gradually, and in parallel with traditional login methods.
2. You Need the Right Devices.
Passkeys work best when your team uses modern devices that support biometric authentication. That means phones with Face ID, Windows Hello on PCs, or YubiKeys for folks who prefer hardware-based access. You may need to budget for a few upgrades.
3. Think About Recovery.
What happens if someone loses their phone? You’ll want to build a recovery protocol: backup passkeys, alternate login methods, or admin overrides. Tools like iCloud Keychain, Google Password Manager, and 1Password already offer secure syncing across devices.
4. User Training Still Matters.
Even with better tools, change can be scary. Walk your team through the “why” before the “how.” Emphasize that this is about making their lives easier, while protecting company data.
How to Start the Transition
If I were sitting across from you, coffee in hand, here’s what I’d suggest:
1. Pick a test group.
Start small. Maybe your leadership team or IT staff. Get them set up with passkeys for a few accounts and document the experience.
2. Use passkey-ready platforms.
Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 both support passkeys. So does GitHub, Shopify, Okta, and many others. Begin with high-impact, high-risk logins where security matters most.
3. Educate and support.
Offer short tutorials, FAQs, and support channels. Normalize asking for help.
4. Phase out risky habits.
Once your team is comfortable, you can begin sunsetting shared passwords, weak credentials, and even some MFA methods that are prone to phishing.
A Thought About Trust
Here’s something I keep coming back to: most organizations don’t fail because of tech—they fail because of people problems masked as tech issues.
Passwords are a perfect example. They put the burden on humans to remember and protect secrets in a world full of distractions and bad actors.
Passkeys shift that burden back to systems. They reflect a broader shift in IT toward compassionate design—systems that don’t just protect data, but protect people from burnout, error, and harm.
That’s the kind of tech I want to be known for. Quietly strong. Invisible when it’s working. Ready when it’s not.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a tech company to benefit from modern authentication. You just need to care about your team, your data, and your long-term resilience.
If your organization is juggling dozens of tools, working across devices, or supporting a hybrid team—passkeys are worth your attention. They’re not hype. They’re a practical, proven shift that can make your life easier and your business safer.
If this sounds familiar—or if you just want someone to walk you through it—we’re happy to help. At 24HourTek, we help orgs like yours build calm, secure systems that work the way they should.
Let’s get your passwords out of the equation.
About 24hourtek
24hourtek, Inc is a forward thinking managed service provider that offers ongoing IT support and strategic guidance to businesses. We meet with our clients at least once a month to review strategy, security posture, and provide guidance on future-proofing your IT.
📞 Reach out if you’re ready to simplify logins and strengthen your security. We’re here to help.