Multi-Device Credentials and the Move Away from Passwords

Multi-device credentials, a key focus of this podcast episode, offer a potential alternative to passwords for consumer-grade applications. These credentials utilize user-friendly asymmetric public-key cryptography to replace passwords with a key pair. The authenticator holds a private key, while the server stores a public key. This approach simplifies and strengthens authentication, with deployment support from major platforms like Apple, Google, and Microsoft. WebAuthn, the browser API for WebAuthn authentication, provides developers with a simple interface for implementing advanced cryptography. Adoption has seen broad support in both enterprise and consumer applications, with an increasing focus on usability to drive wider adoption. The goal is to shift towards a world where passwords are eliminated, and FIDO's multi-device credential model is a step towards achieving this.