Google has introduced passkeys as an alternative authentication method to passwords in its Google Workspace platform. Passkeys allow users to sign in using biometric features such as fingerprints and facial recognition, or with their device’s PIN or pattern.
They replace the traditional username-password combination and the need for second-factor authentication (2FA), providing instant sign-in and enhanced security since passkeys are stored on the user’s device and cannot be easily stolen.
This passwordless sign-in method is supported across major browsers and operating systems, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.
Google is now making passkey authentication available to all organizations using Google Workspace. In an open beta, over 9 million organizations can enable their users to sign in to Google Workspace and Google Cloud accounts using passkeys instead of passwords.
The capability will be progressively rolled out to all Workspace customers in the following weeks. By default, users cannot skip passwords and directly use passkeys, but they can add passkeys as an additional 2FA step. Workspace administrators, on the other hand, have the option to allow users to exclusively use passkeys for authentication.
Google had previously enabled passkey authentication in Google accounts and announced full support for passkeys in Chrome. Android users can create passkeys on their devices and synchronize them using the Google Password Manager.
This move by Google aims to provide users with a more secure and convenient authentication method, reducing reliance on traditional passwords and enhancing overall security across its platform.
