What is FIDO2, And How Does It Help Secure Your Business
Cybercriminals are getting more advanced, and cyberattacks are increasing. As per Statista, 2.8 billion malware attacks happened in the first half of 2022.
Long gone are the days when a standard password-based authentication was enough. With growing security concerns, your business must look for new ways to counter the issues.
That’s where FIDO2 comes in – providing a passwordless vision to companies worldwide.
This article covers the following sections:
- What’s FIDO2?
- How Does FIDO2 Work?
- How FIDO2 Helps to Secure Your Business
What’s FIDO2?
FIDO2 aims to eliminate the use of passwords. It enables users to authenticate their identity using common devices like smartphones, laptops, tablets, and more.
FIDO2 specifications are as follows:
- World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Authentication (WebAuthn)
- Client-to-Authenticator Protocol (CTAP)
The FIDO Alliance introduced FIDO2 after FIDO Universal Authentication Framework (UAF) and the FIDO Universal 2nd Factor (U2F).
How We Got to FIDO2 – UAF & U2F
FIDO Alliance published its first specification in 2014. That included two main components – UAF (Universal Authentication Framework) and U2F (Universal 2nd Factor), now known as CTAP1.
UAF allowed organizations to implement passwordless and multifactor authentication (MFA) on their sites. And U2F (CTAP1) authorized biometric identification system manufacturers to store the private keys on the scanning devices.
FIDO2: Duo of FIDO CTAP2 & W3C
FIDO2 is a handshake between the FIDO Alliance and World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) – using hardware and software.
WebAuthn’s protocol is controlled by W3C using a web API. It adds up the public & private keys with cryptography to let users encrypt and decrypt their access to information.
Whereas FIDO’s CTAP2 (Client-to-Authenticator Protocol) describes requirements for Universal Serial Bus (USB), Near Field Communications (NFC), and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
WebAuthn function with CTAP2 to let online services authenticate users securely and easily.
How Does FIDO2 Work?
FIDO2 relies on public-key cryptography to ensure a private key never leaves your customer’s device.
There are two primary operations involved in FIDO2:
FIDO2 Registration
A new user registers to the FIDO2-backed service – the typical steps are:
1. User fills in the appropriate details to create a new account and chooses a FIDO2 authenticator supported by the service.
2. Approval is provided to the FIDO2 authenticator using biometric authentication like fingerprint scan, face scan, etc.
3. A unique public-private key will be generated for the device, the user’s account, and the service.
4. Public key is sent to the service, and the private key is sealed inside the respective device.
FIDO2 Login/Authentication
Here are the usual steps when an unknown user tries to log in:
1. The service asks the user to log in via the FIDO authenticator.
2. The user uses the same biometric authentication action that they performed during the registration process.
3. The device will match the public key provided by the service with the private key. Then, it will send the signed info back to the service.
4. The service will use the public key to check the signed information. Access will be granted if it matches.
How FIDO2 Helps to Secure Your Business
Amplified Security
FIDO2 removes typical passwords and uses public & private cryptographic keys. And even the private one never leaves the device of your customers. This means your users are safe from risks like phishing, password thefts, replay attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks, and more.
Increased Convenience
Although FIDO2 uses complex cryptographic techniques in the background, it’s super for the end users. Your customers won’t have to set, create, guard, and remember passwords.
Customers logging/registering into your service just need to use a built-in authentication method on their devices. Depending on your clients, it can be a quick facial recognition scan or fingerprint unlock.
Easy Deployment
FIDO2 is based on open standards, so it doesn’t need any special IT infrastructure. Thanks to the self-user-registration/authentication concept of FIDO2, your company’s IT team will get relieved from the burden of managing users.
Added Privacy
Cryptographic keys generated via FIDO2 authenticators are different for each website. This means all of your customers will have a unique and robust identity linked to them.
Also, the biometric data never leaves the device of your customers. That adds a ton of trust in customers, as your company isn’t keeping a log of their sensitive data.
Scalable
Lastly, one of the best things about FIDO2 is its open-source standard. Your business can integrate it via a simple JavaScript API call backed by licensed vendors.
Enter Vault Vision – Certified & Regularly Tested by FIDO2
At Vault Vision, we are proud to highlight that we are certified and regularly tested by FIDO2 & WebAuthn.
We aim to help businesses worldwide adapt to passwordless login and sign-up mechanisms. Our service provides ultra-secure authentication easily and quickly.
You can add FIDO2 to your business website or app in seconds using our no-code setup. Also, we support the majority of frameworks and platforms like Webflow, Bubble, React, Go, Python, Node, and more.
Final Words
With FIDO2 authentication backing up your business app/site, your clients can redeem perks like:
- Advanced security
- Super convenience
- Ultra-grade privacy
And as a company, you can easily deploy and scale the solution without troubling your IT sector.
Try out our service today without entering your credit card details. Or, use our Professional Plan for just $25 per month. Hurry up, as it’s better to secure your company now than regret it later.
https://fidoalliance.org/fido2/
https://www.descope.com/learn/post/fido2
https://www.kensington.com/news/security-blog/what-is-fido2-and-its-benefits/
