15 Billion User Gain Passwordless Access to Microsoft Account Using Passkeys

As the first-ever World Passkey Day replaces the traditional World Password Day, Microsoft joins the FIDO Alliance in celebrating a milestone achievement: over 15 billion online accounts now have access to passwordless authentication through passkeys. This significant shift marks a turning point in digital security as the tech industry moves decisively away from vulnerable password-based […] The post 15 Billion User Gain Passwordless Access to Microsoft Account Using Passkeys appeared first on Cyber Security News.

May 2, 2025 - 14:23

15 Billion User Gain Passwordless Access to Microsoft Account Using Passkeys

As the first-ever World Passkey Day replaces the traditional World Password Day, Microsoft joins the FIDO Alliance in celebrating a milestone achievement: over 15 billion online accounts now have access to passwordless authentication through passkeys.

This significant shift marks a turning point in digital security as the tech industry moves decisively away from vulnerable password-based systems.

“The establishment and growth of World Passkey Day reflects the fact that organizations of all shapes and sizes are taking action upon the imperative to move away from relying on passwords and other legacy authentication methods,” said Andrew Shikiar, Executive Director and CEO of the FIDO Alliance.

With over 100 organizations worldwide having signed the Passkey Pledge, the movement toward passwordless authentication is gaining unprecedented momentum.

The Technical Evolution Behind Passkeys

Passkeys employ public key cryptography to eliminate password vulnerabilities. During registration, a user’s device generates a cryptographic key pair – a public key stored on the service’s server and a private key securely encrypted on the user’s device.

Authentication occurs when the service sends a challenge to the device, which the user unlocks with biometrics or a PIN, allowing the private key to sign the challenge without sharing sensitive information.

The implementation leverages the Web Authentication API (WebAuthn), which enables strong authentication with asymmetric cryptography.

Microsoft’s approach utilizes AuthenticatorAttestationResponse interfaces for credential registration and AuthenticatorAssertionResponse for authentication, creating a seamless user experience while maintaining robust security.

Recent research reveals striking statistics about passkey adoption. According to the FIDO Alliance’s 2025 survey, 74% of consumers are now aware of passkeys, with 69% having enabled them on at least one account.

More than half of users perceive passkeys as both more secure (53%) and more convenient (54%) than passwords.

Concerning data underscores the urgency of this transition: over 35% of people had at least one account compromised due to password vulnerabilities in the past year, and 47% of consumers abandon purchases when they forget passwords.

Microsoft’s Leadership in Passwordless Authentication

Microsoft has been at the forefront of this revolution, first introducing Windows Hello a decade ago and continuing to innovate with passkey technology.

The company reports nearly a million passkey registrations daily for Microsoft accounts, with passkey sign-ins proving eight times faster than password authentication with multi-factor verification.

New Microsoft accounts are now passwordless by default, and the company has implemented a passwordless-preferred sign-in system that automatically detects and offers the most secure authentication method available to each user.

“We welcome the FIDO Alliance’s commitment to World Passkey Day and its push for a passwordless future,” notes Simon McNally, cybersecurity expert at Thales, one of many organizations embracing the technology.

With passkeys now compatible across major platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, and all major browsers, the infrastructure for universal adoption is firmly in place.

As World Passkey Day 2025 encourages users to embrace this technology, the digital landscape moves one step closer to eliminating the password vulnerabilities that have plagued online security for decades.

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