FIDO vs FIDO2: Key Differences and What’s New in FIDO2

What Is FIDO and FIDO2? 

The Fast Identity Online (FIDO) Alliance was formed to address issues related to online authentication by creating interoperable standards. FIDO aims to reduce reliance on passwords by using multi-factor authentication and public key cryptography. 

FIDO2, an extension of FIDO, incorporates the WebAuthn standard from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), enabling secure passwordless login on various platforms and devices via web APIs. It leverages cryptography and biometric authentication, such as fingerprint and facial recognition, to improve security and user convenience. 

FIDO2 is supported on a wide array of devices and operating systems, making authentication consistent and less reliant on passwords. Both FIDO and FIDO2 focus on improving security through reduced password usage, which minimizes the attack surface for online breaches.

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What is passwordless authentication? 

Passwordless authentication is a method of verifying user identity without requiring traditional passwords. Instead, it relies on alternative factors such as biometrics, possession-based authentication, or single-use passcodes. The goal is to improve security, simplify the user experience, and reduce risks associated with password-related vulnerabilities.

Passwordless authentication improves security by eliminating weak or reused passwords, which are common targets for attackers. It also reduces the burden on users, who no longer need to remember complex credentials, and simplifies compliance for organizations seeking stronger authentication mechanisms.

Evolution of FIDO authentication standards 

The FIDO Alliance was initially formed to create an open standard for device biometric authentication, moving away from passwords and offering greater security and user convenience. FIDO standards have evolved through collaborative support from industry leaders and compliance with regulatory requirements.

FIDO’s development includes improvements for different forms of authentication, such as hardware tokens and biometrics. As it evolved, FIDO2 introduced browser compatibility via WebAuthn, allowing integration with websites. This was driven by the need for more scalable authentication solutions to reduce dependency on password credentials.

Tips from the expert

Anthony Dombrowski Developer Relations

Anthony Dombrowski is a product manager and developer advocate with expertise in developer experience, cybersecurity, and product strategy. He has led initiatives at Ping Identity and DevNetwork to enhance developer tools, authentication processes, and user experiences.

Anthony Dombrowski is a product manager and developer advocate with expertise in developer experience, cybersecurity, and product strategy. He has led initiatives at Ping Identity and DevNetwork to enhance developer tools, authentication processes, and user experiences.

• Consider fallback authentication options carefully: While passwordless systems are the goal, always account for cases where users lose access to their registered devices. Implement secure fallback options like one-time passwords (OTPs) sent to verified channels or administrator-assisted recovery to prevent lockouts without compromising security. Additionally, some platforms like Apple and Google support passkey syncing with their accounts.
• Educate users on security best practices: Even with FIDO2’s inherent phishing resistance, users need to recognize and avoid other attacks like social engineering schemes that attempt to bypass security measures. Regular awareness campaigns can reinforce security best practices.
• Plan for initial migration from passwords to FIDO2 authentication: While FIDO2 methods like passkeys have become more common, many users are still unfamiliar with them. Providing clear messaging on the improvements to both user experience and security can help users understand the reason for the change and how to make use of the new process.
• Integrate FIDO2 with a solid IAM strategy: Make sure you not only utilize FIDO2 but have a broader Identity security plan in place that follows best security practices.
• Configure FIDO2 to best match your situation: Leveraging options like device attestation to verify the authenticity of registered devices or passkey autofills can further improve both the user experience and security risk where appropriate for your situation.

New additions in FIDO2 

Here are some of the main differences between FIDO 2 and the earlier version of the standard.

1. Scope and evolution

The FIDO Alliance initially aimed to address the growing issues of password insecurity and user inconvenience. FIDO protocols were designed to replace traditional passwords with stronger, simpler authentication methods using public key cryptography. The foundational standard introduced the Universal Second Factor (U2F) protocol, which focused on improving security by complementing passwords with hardware-based security keys, like USB devices with a fingerprint scanner embedded.

FIDO2 expands the scope by introducing the Client to Authenticator Protocol (CTAP) and working with W3C to incorporate the Web Authentication (WebAuthn) API. Together, these two make up FIDO2. These additions expand the use cases passwordless authentication can apply, where users can log in with biometrics or security keys with devices they already own, like a smartphone, enabling a smoother user experience often demanded in consumer-facing applications. FIDO2 also emphasizes greater inclusivity across platforms and devices.

2. Browser and platform support

The compatibility of FIDO2 with various browsers and platforms is a key aspect of its widespread adoption. Major web browsers like Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge support the WebAuthn API, enabling authentication experiences across ecosystems. 

This compatibility means users can perform secure logins regardless of the device or operating system, provided the platform supports WebAuthn. Platform support extends to Android and Windows, with additional backing by operating systems like iOS and macOS, ensuring cross-platform functionality.

3. Authentication mechanism

FIDO2 employs public key cryptography to provide secure authentication. When a user registers a FIDO2-enabled device, a unique key pair is created: a private key stored on the device and a public key registered with the online service. Authentication involves verifying a user’s access to the private key without transmitting it over the network, ensuring protection against phishing attacks.

Authentication through FIDO2 often uses biometric authentication, through methods like fingerprints or facial recognition, and keep user data locally on the device in secure hardware, like TPMs. This mechanism provides a passwordless experience or can complement passwords within a multi-factor authentication framework.

4. Credential storage and management

FIDO2 standards improve credential storage security by keeping private keys securely on user devices rather than central servers. This approach prevents data breaches and reduces risks associated with server-side hacks. Users can have multiple registered devices, each storing a cryptographically and hardware secured private key, ensuring decentralized credential storage.

5. Authentication use cases

FIDO2 supports a range of usage scenarios, from simple password replacement to complex multi-factor authentication systems to certain device restrictions. For individual users, it can replace traditional passwords, simplifying login processes, and improving security through the use of biometric factors or security keys.

In enterprise environments, FIDO2 supports secure user access through strong authentication policies, catering to remote and on-premises work scenarios. It can be used for accessing sensitive applications, VPNs, and cloud services, improving organizational security posture by ensuring all access attempts are verified with strong, decentralized authentication methods.

Security benefits of FIDO2 

FIDO2 offers a transformative approach to online security by addressing the vulnerabilities of traditional password-based systems:

• Phishing resistance: FIDO2 significantly reduces phishing risks by enabling passwordless authentication. Authentication is tied to a unique key pair generated for each service with the private key staying local to a user’s device, ensuring that login attempts cannot be redirected to malicious sites. Even if a user interacts with a fake website, the absence of password-based credentials means the attack cannot succeed.
• Protection against credential theft: Since private keys never leave the user’s device, they cannot be intercepted during transmission or stolen from centralized servers. This eliminates the risks of mass data breaches commonly associated with password databases.
• Mitigation of replay attacks: Each authentication event involves a unique cryptographic challenge signed by the private key. This mechanism ensures that previously intercepted authentication data cannot be reused.
• Device-specific security: FIDO2 leverages the hardware security of individual devices, such as hardware security modules (like TPMs) or secure enclaves, to store private keys securely. This hardware-level protection adds an extra layer of defense.
• Enhanced privacy: FIDO2 is designed with privacy in mind. It does not allow user tracking across services because each service is associated with a unique key pair.
• Support for multi-factor authentication: While enabling passwordless login, FIDO2 also supports multi-factor authentication when required. Combining something the user has (a security key or a device) with something the user is (biometric data) ensures a stronger authentication framework.

Best practices for implementing FIDO2 in your organization 

Here are some of the ways that organizations can ensure a successful FIDO2 implementation.

Ensure compatibility with existing systems

Integrating FIDO2 into an existing IT architecture requires careful planning to ensure system compatibility. Assess current infrastructure and identify potential integration challenges, such as legacy systems or unsupported platforms. Utilize middleware solutions or API bridges if necessary to create compatibility layers.

Consider conducting pilot tests on smaller segments of the IT environment to detect and resolve potential issues before a full-scale rollout. This staged approach can help identify hurdles associated with device compatibility and platform support.

Choose the right authenticators

Companies should evaluate different authenticators, including biometric sensors, hardware tokens, and mobile devices, to determine the best fit for their security needs and user convenience. Considerations should include cost, compatibility, ease of use, and security features.

Authentication choice should align with organizational security policies and user accessibility requirements. Evaluate whether to integrate multiple authenticators to offer users flexibility while ensuring security.

Implement a secure enrollment process

A secure enrollment process is critical to the success of FIDO2 implementation. During enrollment, ensure that authenticators are issued securely, confirming user identities through strict verification processes. Employ multi-factor credentialing during setup to limit risk from unauthorized enrollment attempts.

Users should be guided through the enrollment phase with clear, detailed instructions to prevent misconfigurations. Security measures, such as device attestation and user identity verification, should be consistently employed. Regular audits of the enrollment process can help maintain system integrity and security over time.

Enforce strong security policies

FIDO2’s effectiveness depends on the security policies within the organization. Policies should address aspects like mandatory use of FIDO2 for sensitive applications, regular updates of registered devices, and continuous monitoring of authentication activities to detect anomalies. Security policies must be adaptable to changing threats and organizational needs.

Regular training and awareness programs should be instituted to familiarize users with security protocols and the importance of FIDO2. By aligning technical implementations with comprehensive security governance, organizations can leverage FIDO2 to its fullest potential.

Leverage FIDO2 for enterprise applications

Enterprises should integrate FIDO2 within their major applications to leverage its full benefits. This involves configuring internal systems to accept FIDO2 authentication, potentially requiring software updates or workflow adjustments. Ensure that critical applications comply with FIDO2 standards to maximize user security and streamline access management processes.

Integration into enterprise applications requires understanding how FIDO2 fits within broader identity and access management strategies. It assists enterprises in achieving higher assurance levels in user authentication, reducing risks associated with credential theft.

Implementing FIDO and FIDO2 with Frontegg

Adopting FIDO and FIDO2 standards can make your security stronger and more resilient, but implementation often feels daunting. With Frontegg, you get low-code solutions that simplify integration, cutting down on developer workload and giving non-technical stakeholders the ability to manage authentication without delays.

Frontegg not only speeds up adoption but also makes passwordless authentication practical and scalable. By distributing ownership of identity management, your team can stay secure without putting extra strain on engineering. See how Frontegg makes FIDO and FIDO2 work for your organization, without the hassle.

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