John Maclnis

Marketing Specialist

john maclnis

Man in a suit interacting a digital security interface

FIDO2 and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Explained

FIDO2 is an open authentication standard designed to provide secure, phishing‑resistant and passwordless access to online services. Built on WebAuthn and the Client-to-Authenticator Protocol (CTAP), FIDO2 uses public‑key cryptography to authenticate users through security keys, smart cards or mobile devices. Its simplicity, low deployment cost and strong protection against credential theft have driven rapid adoption among enterprises looking to strengthen authentication while improving user experience. While FIDO2 and PKI both rely on asymmetric cryptography, they serve different but complementary purposes. FIDO2 focuses on user authentication and passwordless access, whereas PKI provides a broader framework for identity management, encryption, digital signatures and secure communications. Organizations increasingly deploy FIDO2 as a lightweight authentication layer alongside existing PKI infrastructure, using FIDO2 for secure logins and PKI for protecting applications, devices, documents and machine-to-machine communications. Together, these technologies help reduce phishing risk, strengthen identity assurance and support modern Zero Trust security strategies.
• John Maclnis
Security