FIDO Based

FIDO (Fast Identity Online) is an open standard for passwordless authentication that aims to reduce reliance on passwords and enhance online security. FIDO-based passwordless mechanisms use public-key cryptography to authenticate users without the need for traditional passwords. One of the key components of FIDO is the use of a hardware security key or biometric authentication.

Here's a brief overview of how FIDO-based passwordless mechanisms work:

  1. Registration:

    • During the registration process, the user's device generates a public-private key pair.

    • The public key is stored on the server, while the private key remains on the user's device. The private key is typically stored in a secure element, such as a hardware security key or the device's Trusted Platform Module (TPM).

  2. Authentication:

    • When a user attempts to log in, the server sends a challenge to the user's device.

    • The device uses the private key to sign the challenge and sends the signed response back to the server.

    • The server verifies the signature using the stored public key. If the verification is successful, the user is authenticated.

  3. FIDO Protocols:

    • FIDO supports two main protocols: FIDO U2F (Universal 2nd Factor) and FIDO2.

    • Cymmetri supports the FIDO2 protocol for implemeting the passwordless mechanism

    • FIDO2 includes WebAuthn (for web applications) for communication between the client (user's device) and the authenticator (e.g., hardware security key).

  4. Passwordless Options:

    • FIDO-based passwordless authentication can be achieved through various methods, including the use of hardware security keys, biometrics (such as fingerprint or facial recognition), or a combination of both.

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