Why Is FIDO2 Secure?

We currently live in a world where all aspects of our lives are online, be it our personal or professional aspects. So, to keep hold of these online platforms, we use passwords as our authenticators. Still, with technological advancements, it has become relatively easy for criminals to gain access to our login credentials or even manipulate them for their own gain. Hence, the need for a robust, reliable, and secure authenticator is why FIDO2 is recommended. Read on to have FIDO2 explained, and to understand why FIDO2 is secure.

What is FIDO2?

FIDO, or fast identity online, is a security protocol designed mainly to promote new authentication standards while gradually reducing our dependence on passwords. So, FIDO2 is a next-generation security standard that aims at offering high-level security on cryptography while expanding and offering multiple authentication options, such as:

• Passwordless authentication

This option eliminates the need for password authentication since it offers a robust single-factor authentication through a physical hardware authenticator

• Multi-factor authentication

Mainly used to meet high assurance requirements, this option is used in used primarily in financial institutions since it utilizes a robust multi-factor authentication protocol through a pin/biometric and a hardware authenticator

• Two-factor authentication

This option uses a hardware authenticator that uses a robust two-factor authentication protocol, thus providing you with an extra layer of protection

As a result, there’s no need for passwords since FIDO2 relies on physical tokens that act as a security key to access data on any network.

How FIDO2 Works

As stated above, FIDO2 uses physical tokens as keys to access data on a network, so when a key is registered, a public and private key pair is produced for both the client and user side. Since FIDO2 applies public key cryptography, the key pair will be needed to validate the identity of the user.

So, each time data is sent by a user, the shared public key encrypts it, and for the data to be decrypted, the receiver will require the private key. To be more effective than the previous FIDO versions, FIDO2 is made up of two components:

• WebAuthn API – a web-based API that allows FIDO-based authentication on web browsers and platforms like Mozilla, Firefox, Chrome, Edge and other online platforms, thereby acting as the communication link between the FIDO2 server and the browser.
• CTAP (Client to authenticator) – defines the communication between the authentication device, be it via USB, Bluetooth or NFC and the browser.

Thus, granting you a convenient yet secure authentication model.

Why Is FIDO2 Secure?

As described above, FIDO2 is a combination of various standard security protocols that aim to do away with passwords and implement a passwordless authentication protocol; hence the reason it’s recommended by most. Here are reasons why FIDO2 is regarded as secure:

• Strong passwords – Once implemented, FIDO2 replaces all weak passwords in the system with strong public key hardware-based authentication cryptography. This move also ensures that no information is shared between services in the system. Also, it frees you from typing in your login credentials, thus allowing someone to master your keystrokes.
• Mandatory authentication – whenever data is sent over the network, one must own a registered private key which is proof of authentication and is required to decrypt the data since the shared public key would have encrypted it.
• Improved security – FIDO2 ensures that all services in the system are set up with solid authentication options: multi-factor, passwordless or two-factor authentication. By doing so in case, any attempt by an unauthorized user to access the system will be rebuffed. Also, the authentication key is physical; hence it’s always by your side, thus making it hard for someone to get their hands on it.
• Independence – even thoughFIDO2 allows you to use one key for multiple accounts, there are protocols that ensure no information sharing between the accounts or platforms. Doing so assures you that if one account or platform is attacked or vulnerable, your other accounts and platforms are safe.

Apart from being secure, there are multiple benefits of using FIDO2 instead of passwords, so try the FIDO2 authentication protocols and reap the benefits.