Google begins testing Passkey on Workspace and Cloud accounts

Google has taken an important step toward a passwordless future with the launch of the open beta for Passkey on Workspace accounts. Starting today, June 5, more than 9 million organizations can allow their users to sign in to a Google Workspace or Google Cloud account using a passkey instead of their normal password.

Passkey is a new form of passwordless sign-in technology developed by the FIDO Alliance, whose members include industry giants such as Google, Apple and Microsoft. Passkey allows users to log into websites and apps using their device’s own authentication, such as a laptop with Windows Hello, an Android phone with a fingerprint sensor, or an iPhone with Face ID, traditional passwords, and other sign-ins. Systems such as 2FA or SMS verification. Because passkeys are based on public key cryptographic protocols, there is no fixed “sequence” that can be stolen or leaked in phishing attacks.

Passkey support for workspace administrators who have authority to enable Passkey sign-on within their organizations will be rolled out gradually over the next few weeks. The ability to skip passwords is disabled by default and must be enabled first. enabled by administrators, Even when disabled, users will still be able to create and use passkeys for 2FA authentication.

It is hoped that Passkey will eventually replace passwords entirely, but this will take time. However, with Passkey support adopted by platforms like Apple and Microsoft and password managers like Dashlane and 1Password, adoption has been steady.

Today’s announcement comes after Passkey support was introduced to standard Google user accounts back in May. The Chrome web browser was also updated with Passkey support in December, though Passkeys can only be used on third-party sites and services that have rolled out their own support for the passwordless tech. Right now it’s a relatively short list – what 1Password is tracking sites and services Support Passkey if you want to stay up to date.