A New Way to Sign In: How Synced Passkeys Could Finally Replace Passwords

Be honest for a moment. How often do you forget a password, type it in wrong too many times, and then end up stuck resetting it through email links and security questions?

For many people, this is a normal part of work life. Passwords are everywhere. Email, cloud apps, accounting software, customer portals, and internal systems all need one. Over time, people reuse passwords, write them down, or choose simple ones just to get through the day.

This problem has been growing for years, and it affects both productivity and security. Now, a major change is finally taking shape that could make passwords far less important.

Microsoft has announced that passkeys can now be securely synced across devices using a Microsoft Account in Microsoft Edge. This update may sound small, but it is a big step toward a future where passwords are no longer the main way we sign in.

In this article, we’ll explain what passkeys are, why they matter, how syncing changes everything, and what this means for businesses in Canada. We’ll focus on the facts, avoid the hype, and help you understand whether this change is something you should pay attention to.

Throughout this article, we will refer often to three key ideas: passkeys, password security, and device authentication.

Why Passwords Have Become a Problem

Passwords were never designed for the way we work today. Years ago, you might have had only a few accounts. Now, it’s common for one person to manage dozens.

This leads to several issues:

• People reuse the same password on multiple sites

• Passwords are often weak or easy to guess

• Phishing emails trick users into giving passwords away

• Forgotten passwords cause downtime and frustration

From a business point of view, password problems also create extra work for IT support. Reset requests take time. Locked accounts slow people down. Security teams worry about breaches caused by stolen credentials.

Password security has become one of the biggest risks for small and medium-sized businesses. Even when companies use password managers and training, human error is still a factor.

This is where passkeys come in.

What Are Passkeys, in Simple Terms?

Passkeys are a way to sign in without using a traditional password. Instead of typing something you know, you prove who you are using something you have and something you are.

This usually means:

• Your device (laptop, phone, or tablet)

• A built-in security check like a fingerprint, Face ID, or PIN

When you create a passkey for a website or app, your device generates a special digital key. One part of that key stays on your device. The other part is stored by the service you are logging into.

The important part is this: there is no password to steal.

If a hacker tricks you into clicking a fake link, the passkey won’t work on the wrong website. If a database is breached, there is no password stored that can be reused elsewhere.

This approach relies on strong device authentication and modern security standards.

The Role of the FIDO2 Standard

Behind the scenes, passkeys are built using the FIDO2 standard.

FIDO2 is supported by major technology companies and is designed to:

• Eliminate shared secrets like passwords

• Protect against phishing attacks

• Tie sign-ins to trusted devices

Because the passkey is linked to the exact website and your specific device, it cannot be reused or copied. This is a major improvement over passwords, which can be reused endlessly if stolen.

FIDO2 has been around for a while, but adoption was slow because of one major issue.

The Big Problem with Early Passkeys

Until recently, passkeys were usually stored only on the device where they were created.

That caused several problems:

• If your laptop failed, your passkeys could be lost

• Moving to a new computer was difficult

• Using multiple devices meant managing multiple passkeys

• Businesses worried about lockouts and recovery

For example, if you created passkeys on your work laptop and that laptop was damaged or replaced, you might lose access to important accounts. This made many IT teams hesitant to fully support passkeys.

Local-only storage limited how useful passkeys could be, especially in a business setting.

What Microsoft Has Changed

Microsoft has now addressed this issue by allowing passkeys to be securely synced across devices using a Microsoft Account.

With this update in Microsoft Edge:

• Passkeys can be stored in the cloud

• They are protected by your Microsoft Account

• An extra PIN or device check is required

• Passkeys sync across supported devices

This means that when you sign into a new or replacement computer, your passkeys come with you.

For users running Windows 11, this makes passkeys far more practical for everyday work.

How Synced Passkeys Actually Work

When you save a passkey in Edge, it is stored in Microsoft Password Manager. The passkey data is encrypted before it is stored in the cloud.

Only you can unlock it, using:

• Your Microsoft Account

• A local device check, like a PIN or biometric

Even Microsoft cannot see or use your passkeys. This is important from a privacy and security point of view.

When you sign in on another Windows 11 device with your Microsoft Account, your passkeys become available after you verify your identity.

This keeps the benefits of strong password security while removing the risk of losing access when devices change.

Is Cloud Storage of Passkeys Safe?

Some people worry that storing anything in the cloud is less secure. In this case, the design matters.

Microsoft has stated that synced passkeys are:

• Encrypted end-to-end

• Protected by multiple layers of security

• No less secure than local-only storage

Because the passkeys are still tied to device authentication, an attacker would need access to your account and your device verification method.

This layered approach is far safer than passwords, which can be guessed, reused, or stolen through phishing.

Why This Matters for Productivity

From a productivity point of view, synced passkeys offer clear benefits:

• Fewer password resets

• Faster sign-ins

• Less time wasted on lockouts

• Fewer support tickets

Employees don’t need to remember complex passwords or manage frequent changes. Instead, they use familiar actions like a fingerprint or face scan.

Over time, this can save hours of lost work, especially in organizations with many cloud-based tools.

Why This Matters for Security

From a security perspective, passkeys reduce several common risks:

• Phishing attacks become far less effective

• Password reuse is eliminated

• Stolen credentials are useless

• Weak passwords are no longer an issue

Password security has long been the weakest link in many systems. Passkeys remove that link entirely.

For small and medium-sized businesses, this is especially important. These organizations are often targeted by cybercriminals but may not have large security teams.

What About Other Devices?

Right now, Microsoft is rolling out synced passkeys mainly for Windows 11 and Edge.

Support for other platforms, such as macOS and mobile devices, is expected to follow. The long-term goal across the industry is to allow passkeys to work smoothly across all major devices and operating systems.

This shows that passkeys are not a short-term experiment. They are becoming a standard way to sign in.

Should Businesses Start Paying Attention Now?

Yes, but carefully.

Passkeys are not yet supported by every service, and many businesses will continue to rely on passwords for some time. However, this update removes one of the biggest barriers to adoption.

IT teams can now begin to:

• Learn how passkeys work

• Test them with supported services

• Educate staff on device authentication

• Plan for a future with fewer passwords

This does not mean passwords disappear overnight. Instead, passkeys will likely exist alongside them during a long transition period.

What This Means for Canadian Businesses

For Canadian businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones, this change supports both security and efficiency.

Many organizations are dealing with:

• Remote or hybrid work

• Frequent device upgrades

• Limited IT resources

• Growing cyber security risks

Synced passkeys help reduce risk without adding complexity. They also align well with privacy expectations and modern security standards.

As more services adopt passkeys, businesses that understand them early will be better prepared.

Looking Ahead: A Password-Light Future

Passwords are not gone yet, but their role is shrinking.

Passkeys, backed by strong device authentication and secure syncing, offer a realistic path away from one of the most frustrating parts of technology.

Microsoft’s update may seem like a small feature change, but it solves a real problem that held passkeys back. By making them portable, secure, and easier to manage, passkeys move closer to everyday use.

The result is better password security, fewer disruptions, and a smoother experience for users and businesses alike.

About Robertson Technology Group

Robertson Technology Group is a Canadian technology services company based in Victoria, British Columbia. We provide managed technology security and support solutions designed specifically for small to medium-sized businesses across Canada. Our goal is to remove the burden of day-to-day technology management so business owners and staff can focus on their work with confidence. By taking a practical and personalized approach, we help organizations improve their cyber security, manage risk, and adopt modern tools like secure authentication in a way that fits their business. We work closely with our clients, offering professional guidance, ongoing support, and solutions that grow with their needs.