Hello community,
What's the difference between passkeys being used for authentication
vs. public-key authentication?
What's the difference between passkeys being used for authentication
vs. public-key authentication?
-
To ensure you get the most out of your CIN membership and stay connected with the latest updates, we are asking all members to update their community profiles. Please take a few moments to log in and: • Complete all sections of your profile • Review your current information for accuracy • Enter an alternative email address if desired (CIN requires your valid business email address for your training organization). Keeping your profile up to date helps us better serve you, ensures your account is correctly linked with CompTIA’s CRM, streamlines processes, enhances communication, and guarantees you never miss out on valuable CIN opportunities. Thank you for taking this important step! step!
passkey vs public-key
- Thread starter Trevor Chandler
- Start date
Passkeys and public-key authentication are both use asymmetric cryptography, but they serve different purposes and contexts:
Passkeys: A modern approach to passwordless authentication. They pair a device (like a phone) with a user account, using public-key cryptography to authenticate the user. For example, unlocking your Google account using your phone's biometric scanner instead of a password.
Public-key authentication: A traditional method primarily used for securing systems like SSH access. A user generates a public-private key pair and stores the public key on the server. The server verifies the user's identity based on the private key. For example, using SSH keys to log in to a remote server without needing a password.
Passkeys: A modern approach to passwordless authentication. They pair a device (like a phone) with a user account, using public-key cryptography to authenticate the user. For example, unlocking your Google account using your phone's biometric scanner instead of a password.
Public-key authentication: A traditional method primarily used for securing systems like SSH access. A user generates a public-private key pair and stores the public key on the server. The server verifies the user's identity based on the private key. For example, using SSH keys to log in to a remote server without needing a password.
@Trevor Chandler
Key Differences
- User Experience: Passkeys are designed for end-users and aim to simplify the login process by eliminating passwords and using biometrics. Public-key authentication is more technical and often used by IT professionals for securing system communications.
- Implementation: Passkeys are integrated into modern devices and ecosystems, making them easy to use across multiple platforms. Public-key authentication requires manual setup and is typically used in specific applications like SSH.