Passwords have become the weakest link in enterprise security.
Credential theft, phishing, and compliance pressures mean organizations must move beyond traditional MFA and adopt passwordless, phishing-resistant authentication. Today, FIDO2, developed by the FIDO Alliance, is the global standard powering that shift – and Secfense makes deploying it across all systems fast, secure, and disruption-free.
What Is FIDO2 Authentication?
FIDO2 authentication replaces traditional passwords with public-key cryptography, enabling secure logins without ever typing a password. It uses:
- Something you have – a FIDO2 security key, smartphone, or laptop
- Something you are – biometrics such as fingerprint or facial recognition
During registration, the user’s device creates a unique key pair. The private key stays securely on the device, while the public key is stored by the service. For each login, the device signs a challenge with the private key no password ever travels over the network, making it immune to phishing and replay attacks.
FIDO vs. FIDO2: The Evolution to Passwordless
- FIDO (Fast Identity Online) – The industry alliance that develops open authentication standards to reduce password reliance.
- FIDO U2F – Introduced hardware-based second-factor authentication (security keys via USB or NFC).
- FIDO2 – Combines the Web Authentication (WebAuthn) API with FIDO standards, enabling passwordless login using biometrics or external authenticators.
While FIDO refers to the organization and family of standards, FIDO2 is the current protocol powering modern passwordless authentication.
Why FIDO2 Beats Other MFA Methods
Traditional MFA methods (SMS codes, TOTP apps) have known weaknesses:
- SMS can be intercepted through SIM-swapping.
- TOTP can be phished if users enter codes on fake sites.
FIDO2 is different:
- Phishing-resistant – Private keys never leave the device.
- Hardware or biometric-based – Tied to the user’s device, not a shared secret.
- Fast and seamless – No typing, no remembering codes.
Security and Convenience for All Users
FIDO2 brings both security and usability:
- No passwords to remember – Reduces helpdesk reset requests.
- Fast authentication – Login with a biometric scan or security key.
- Device flexibility – Works on smartphones, laptops, and security tokens.
Employees, partners, and customers all benefit from a consistent, frictionless experience.
Deploying FIDO2 with Secfense: No-Code, Scalable, and Compliance-Ready
Many organizations hesitate to adopt FIDO2 because they fear expensive application changes. That’s where Secfense User Access Security Broker (UASB) comes in — a no-code security layer that:
- Adds FIDO2 and passkeys to any app (legacy, cloud, or custom) without code changes
- Supports Passkeys for Universal Access on all devices and platforms
- Integrates Privileged Access & Microauthorizations for high-risk actions
- Extends Phishing-Resistant MFA to every access point
- Meets DORA, NIS2, and PSD2 authentication requirements out of the box
For remote systems like VPN, Citrix, and Outlook Web Access, Secfense Ghost makes them invisible to unauthorized users.
Compliance-Ready Authentication for Regulated Industries
FIDO2 meets or exceeds authentication requirements in major regulations:
- DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act)
- NIS2 (Network and Information Security Directive)
- FTC Safeguards Rule
- NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulation
For industries like finance, healthcare, and government, this makes FIDO2 a future-proof investment in both security and compliance.
Case Study: Passwordless Security at Scale
A major European bank used Secfense to roll out phishing-resistant MFA and passkeys to dozens of critical applications:
- 43% more apps protected than initially planned
- 82% less IT specialist involvement
- 87% reduction in deployment cost
- Zero code changes in production systems
The same approach applies to enterprise-wide FIDO2 adoption in U.S. and global markets.
Move to Passwordless in One Week
Secfense offers a Proof of Value (POV) program for rapid evaluation:
- Secure one application with FIDO2 and microauthorizations
- No development required, no downtime
- Measure real security and UX benefits before scaling
Key Takeaways
- FIDO2 is the gold standard for passwordless, phishing-resistant authentication.
- Secfense enables no-code deployment across legacy and cloud systems.
- Organizations can meet compliance, cut costs, and improve user experience in one step.
🚀 Take the Next Step
The move to FIDO2 and passkeys is inevitable. Do it now without the complexity.
📅 Book your discovery call and see your first application protected in just no time.
Antoni Sikora 