The Authentication Newsletter for May 2026
The Authentication Newsletter is OneSpan’s roundup of news, trends, and perspectives on authentication and mobile app security, originally shared with our LinkedIn community. We’re republishing it here to make these insights accessible to a wider audience. Enjoy!
World Passkey Day 2026
It's no secret that we aren't a fan of traditional passwords. They create security risks, friction for users, and operational overhead for IT teams. Luckily, another stronger authentication method is available:
Passkeys 🙌
As a trusted partner to global enterprises for securing consumers and workforces across apps, devices, and transactions, we take educating about passwordless authentication seriously. In this special edition of The Authentication Newsletter for World Passkey Day 2026, learn more about what it takes for successful passkey implementation and deployment. 👇
🤔What are passkeys?
Passkeys are FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) credentials that are stored on a computer, phone, or dedicated hardware device. They're especially helpful in high-assurance, regulated environments, such as banking and insurance.
There are two main types of passkeys: syncable (AKA multi-device passkeys) and device-bound. Each offers different advantages across usability, security, and control. Organizations may choose one model or combine both based on their needs, including user type, risk level, and regulatory requirements. See how they compare⬇️
🗞️Passkeys in the news
Passkey momentum is building around the world. Two weeks ago, the UK government's technical authority on cybersecurity said:
"As we aim to accelerate the UK's cyber defences at scale, moving to passkeys is something all of us can do to improve the security of everyday digital services and be prepared for modern and future cyber threats."
Learn why the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) says passkeys should now be consumers' first choice of login across all digital services. And they are not alone.
👉 Gartner noted that 72% of Gartner's authentication-related inquiries in 2025 were about passwordless authentication.*
*GARTNER® Report
Start Your Passwordless Implementation Now, by Paul Rabinovich, 24 February 2026. GARTNER is a trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates.
🚀Deploying passkeys at scale
Did you know passkeys have a 93% login success rate? Passwords, on the other hand, are only around 63%.
Passkey adoption doesn't need to be disruptive. Many organizations start by introducing passkeys alongside existing authentication methods, then expand adoption over time.
Want to see passkeys in action? Try our self-guided demo in just 5️⃣minutes.
Hear what Ashish shared with CyberRisk TV about why passkeys are ready for prime time in modern banking.
⚙️Should you build your own or buy a passkey solution?
As your organization considers the best way to implement passkeys, the option to build or buy a passkey solution is one of the first questions you must answer.
The choice you make impacts scalability, internal resources, speed to market, and long-term flexibility. Rolf Lindemann, OneSpan VP Products, shares six key factors to help your organization make an informed decision.
🔐Check out the FIDO Alliance's in-depth explanation of passkeys for recent data on passkey adoption and why organizations need them, how to get started, and their overall benefits, including:
➡️Improving the end-user experience
➡️Strengthening security
➡️Increasing sign-in success rate
➡️Lowering password reset costs
🗝️Passkeys are useful in every industry across both internal and external use cases, but especially in environments where authentication cannot fail. In this expert guide from OneSpan's VP Products, Rolf Lindemann dives into how FIDO-based passkeys deliver phishing-resistance, compliance readiness, and measurable ROI.
🧭 The KuppingerCole Analysts Passwordless Authentication for Enterprises 2026 Leadership Compass is out! The guide evaluates the leading enterprise passwordless authentication vendors and provides analysis to help you compare solutions.
Don't miss upcoming industry events!
KuppingerCole Analysts are hosting the 19th annual European Identity and Cloud Conference, May 19-22, at the Berlin Conference Center in Germany. See a live demo and talk to our industry experts at booth #49.
On Wednesday, May 20, catch Rolf Lindemann's panel Passwordless Authentication for Enterprises. During the conversation, experts will discuss the realities of deploying passwordless authentication in large-scale consumer environments and uncover how organizations are measuring success, managing trade-offs, and evolving their strategies as the market matures.
📆 The FIDO Alliance is hosting Authenticate APAC 2026 at the Grand Hyatt in Singapore. Join passionate industry experts June 2-3 to discuss user authentication and passkeys, and come away with tools to roll out passkeys within your organization.
FIDO Alliance members are invited to stay June 4-5 for the FIDO Member Plenary.
If you're not sure what to expect, Murtaza Hafizji, who's focused on FIDO, identity, and authentication, wrote about his first full FIDO Authenticate conference in October. Tom De Wasch, our Director of Product Management for Hardware Digipass, shared his experience at the FIDO Plenary in Istanbul last June. Both came away with a greater understanding of the shifting authentication landscape, excited about what's next.
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more insights on authentication, identity, and cybersecurity.
