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Passwords are a mess. People forget them, reuse them, and store them in risky ways. Even strong ones can get stolen. That’s why more and more companies are moving to passwordless authentication, where, instead of typing a password, users can log in with something faster and more secure – like a fingerprint, a face scan, or a one-time code.

In this blog, we’ll break down what passwordless authentication actually is, how it works, what options exist, and how you can start using it in your setup.

So, What Is Passwordless Authentication?

Passwordless authentication is a way to log in without needing a password. Instead, it uses things like your face, a hardware key, or a trusted device to validate your identity. The goal is to remove the most common point of failure: the password.

The Tech Behind It

Behind the scenes, passwordless systems use cryptographic keys and trusted devices. When you try to log in, the system checks something you have (like your phone) or something you are (like your fingerprint). If it all checks out, you’re in. There’s no need to store or compare passwords. That’s what makes passwordless login both simple and strong.

How Is It Different from Traditional Passwords or MFA?

Passwords rely on what you know. Passwordless relies on what you have or who you are. With regular MFA, you still need to enter a password first, then add a second step. Passwordless skips the password part entirely. That makes it both faster and more secure, and it opens the door to passwordless SSO (single sign-on) experiences that feel smooth from the start.

Types of Passwordless Authentication Factors You’re Probably Already Using

Even if your company hasn’t officially gone passwordless, your team is likely using some of these methods already.

Biometrics (Face, Fingerprint, Voice)

Biometrics are the most familiar passwordless method. When you unlock your phone with your face or thumbprint, that’s passwordless login in action. It’s quick, hard to fake, and doesn’t depend on your memory.

Passkeys (Backed by Apple, Google & Microsoft)

Passkeys are one of the most promising paths to passwordless authentication. They use cryptographic key pairs stored on your device and synced across your cloud accounts. No passwords to remember, reuse, or leak.

Major platforms like Apple, Google, and Microsoft are pushing passkeys hard. They’re leading the way in showing people how to log in without passwords, and keeping things secure at the same time.

Magic Links and Push Notifications

Magic links are links sent to your email. You click the link, and you’re logged in. Push notifications let you approve a login from your phone. Both are frictionless and remove the need to type in a password even once.

One-Time Passwords & QR Logins

One-time passwords (OTPs) sent via SMS or email still count as a form of passwordless login when used by themselves. QR codes, often used to log into desktop apps from mobile devices, are also gaining popularity.

While these methods aren’t as phishing-resistant as biometrics or passkeys, they’re easier to deploy and combine well in passwordless MFA setups.

Physical Tokens (for High-Security Environments)

Hardware tokens, like YubiKeys or smartcards, are used in industries where top-level security is required. They plug into your device and verify your identity without ever sending a password. These are core to many passwordless authentication solutions used in regulated industries.

Why Is Going Passwordless a Game Changer for Businesses?

Switching to passwordless login isn’t just about keeping up with trends. It’s about fixing real problems that plague every IT team.

Better Security (Say Goodbye to Phishing)

Most cyberattacks start with a stolen password. With passwordless authentication, there’s no password to steal. That eliminates phishing and reduces the risk of brute-force attacks.

True passwordless security also means credentials can’t be reused or shared. Identity is tied to something unique and verifiable.

Less Frustration for Everyone

Users hate passwords. They forget them, mistype them, or reset them too often. Passwordless login is faster, smoother, and more reliable.

For IT, that means fewer support tickets and better user adoption, especially when you roll out a passwordless authentication solution that works across devices and apps.

More Productivity, Fewer Interruptions

Every password reset is wasted time. Logging in without a password means fewer roadblocks, faster access to tools, and more time focused on work. With passwordless SSO, users don’t even realize how much smoother their day just became.

Easier Compliance

Passwordless authentication solutions log every login attempt and verify identity with high assurance. That makes audits easier and helps meet compliance standards for data security and access control.

How to Get Started with Passwordless in 2025

Making the switch to passwordless authentication doesn’t mean flipping a switch overnight. It’s a shift that needs thoughtful planning, a clear strategy, and a step-by-step rollout. Here’s how to get started in a way that makes sense for your team and infrastructure.

Step 1 – Take Stock of What You’re Using Now

Start by understanding your current login flows and where passwords are still the default. List out which systems use username and password, where MFA is already in place, and how your users access critical tools, whether through SSO, VPN, or directly.

This is also a good time to check if any systems already support passwordless login methods like biometrics, smartcards, or passkeys. Most modern platforms, especially cloud-based ones, already offer some form of passwordless authentication; you just may not be using it yet.

Doing this groundwork helps you map out where changes are needed and where passwordless SSO or MFA passwordless upgrades can slot in easily.

Step 2 – Choose the Right Factor(s)

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to passwordless authentication. The right mix depends on your users, devices, security requirements, and workflows.

• For remote teams or BYOD setups, passkeys and push notifications work well. 
• In high-security environments, physical security tokens or smartcards offer strong protection. 
• For customer-facing platforms, magic links or OTP logins can reduce friction without compromising security. 

Many organizations choose a mix, for example, combining passwordless SSO with biometrics or device trust. That’s the beauty of a flexible passwordless authentication solution: you can adapt it to how your people actually work.

Step 3 – Start Small and Scale Up

Don’t roll out passwordless login to your entire workforce on day one. Instead, start with a pilot group,  maybe your IT team or a specific department.

Use that phase to test compatibility, gather feedback, and make tweaks. You’ll quickly learn which login methods your users find easy and what gaps still exist.

Once the pilot works well, you can expand to more users, systems, or offices. This phased approach helps build confidence in the new flow and avoids disruption.

Step 4 – Don’t Forget About Recovery Options

Even in a passwordless world, users lose devices, forget PINs, or switch phones. That’s why it’s important to build solid fallback options.

Recovery should still be secure – think identity verification, backup devices, or biometric fallback instead of just sending an email link.

The goal is to support users without slipping back into old habits like password resets. A well-designed recovery flow is key to building true passwordless security that’s both strong and user-friendly.

What to Watch Out For (and How to Handle It)?

Going passwordless can bring real security and usability benefits, but it’s not always smooth sailing. Here are a few challenges you might run into and how to deal with them.

Legacy Systems That Don’t Play Nice

Some older applications and infrastructure just weren’t built with passwordless login in mind. They expect a username and password and may not support passkeys, biometrics, or even modern MFA.

You don’t have to rip everything out at once. In many cases, you can layer passwordless authentication on top using tools like reverse proxies, identity brokers, or passwordless SSO platforms that bridge the gap.

Start with systems that support passwordless out of the box, and create a plan to phase out or modernize older systems over time. In the meantime, keep your passwords strong and protected, but start reducing how often users actually need to touch them.

Getting Everyone On Board

Even if passwordless login is simpler and faster, some users may still resist change, especially if they’re used to logging in the old way.

That’s why communication and training are key. Show them how the new login works, explain why it’s safer, and let them try it for themselves. In most cases, users love the change once they experience it.

Start with internal champions and early adopters. Their positive feedback can help win over the rest of your team.

Device Loss or Change

If a user loses the device that holds their passkey or biometric login, they need a way back in securely.

Good passwordless authentication solutions always include backup and recovery options. That might be a secondary device, a trusted contact, or a biometric fallback.

Make sure your users know what to do if they lose access, and test those workflows regularly. Security is only helpful if people can still get their job done.

What’s Next for Passwordless Authentication?

Passwordless isn’t just a trend. It’s the direction identity and access management is heading. Here’s what’s coming soon.

OS-Level Logins Without Passwords

Major operating systems are already moving toward passwordless authentication. Whether it’s macOS, Windows, or Android, users will soon be logging in with Face ID, fingerprint, or passkey by default, with no password prompts required.

This shift makes passwordless login feel completely natural, and it opens the door to more secure, frictionless experiences right from the moment the device boots up.

Everything Works Across Devices

Today’s passkeys and biometric systems often work well on one device. The future? A single identity that follows you across your phone, laptop, desktop, and tablet, without needing to reconfigure each one.

Cloud-synced credentials, strong device trust, and smarter federated identity systems will make passwordless SSO even more seamless. That means less re-authentication, fewer interruptions, and stronger security without the pain.

Smarter, Continuous Authentication

Authentication won’t just be a one-time event. Systems will continuously check if access should still be granted, based on signals like device posture, location, behavior, and more.

This continuous, adaptive model makes true passwordless security not only possible but smarter. Users stay logged in while still being monitored for risk, and IT gets better visibility without annoying pop-ups or prompts.

Ready to Go Passwordless? Let Akku Help

Passwords are fading out. They’re slow, insecure, and a hassle for everyone. Passwordless authentication is the smarter way forward – faster for users, stronger for security, and easier to manage.

At Akku, we help you make that move with the right passwordless authentication solution for your setup. Whether you need passwordless SSO, support for passkeys and biometrics, or a full transition plan from MFA to true passwordless security, we’re here to walk you through it.

Ready to move beyond passwords? Let’s build a login experience that’s secure, efficient, and designed for how your team actually works.

Let’s be honest. VPNs weren’t built for how we work today.

They made sense when everyone was in one office, using company devices, connecting to a network with clear boundaries. But now? People are logging in from coffee shops, airports, and personal laptops – and attackers have learned how to slip right through the cracks.

That’s where Zero Trust Netw                     ork Access (ZTNA) comes in. It doesn’t matter if you’re “inside” the network or not. ZTNA assumes no one gets a free pass. Every user, device, and connection is verified every time.

This blog breaks down what ZTNA really is, how it works, and why it’s quickly becoming the smarter, safer alternative to VPNs.

What Is Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)?

Zero Trust Network Access is a modern approach to remote access. It doesn’t assume someone should have access just because they’re on your network. Every request is checked in real time. Access is granted only to the app or data the user needs. Nothing more.

It’s a shift from blanket access to controlled, need-based access that happens quietly in the background.

What’s the Core Principle Behind ZTNA?

ZTNA adheres to a simple principle: never trust, always verify.

It doesn’t matter where someone is working from or what device they’re using. Until their identity, device, and behavior are verified, they don’t get access. And even after access is granted, ZTNA keeps watching in case something changes.

This ongoing verification is what makes it so effective.

How Is ZTNA Different from Traditional Network Security?

The biggest difference between ZTNA and traditional network security is trust. Traditional models assume that if a user is inside the network, they are not a security risk. Once someone connects through a VPN, they usually get broad access to internal systems. That worked when networks had clear perimeters, and most people worked from one place. But today, that assumption is a liability.

ZTNA doesn’t care where a user is coming from. It treats every request, even from inside the network, as untrusted until it’s verified. Instead of giving blanket access, it checks each login, each device, and each request in real time.

Here’s how that plays out in practice:

• Network vs. App Access
  VPNs give users access to the network itself. That often includes more access than they really need. ZTNA only grants access to specific applications or services.
• One-Time vs. Continuous Checks
  With a VPN, checks mostly happen at login. After that, the user can usually move freely. ZTNA continues to run checks throughout the session, constantly monitoring for risk.
• Visible vs. Invisible Infrastructure
  In a VPN model, users can often see every system on the network, even if they can’t access them. ZTNA hides everything that the user doesn’t explicitly have access to. If you don’t have permission, it’s like the system doesn’t exist.
• Perimeter-Based vs. Identity-Based
  Traditional models rely on network perimeters: if you’re on the right network, you’re trusted. ZTNA is built around identity, context, and device trust, not where the request is coming from.

In short, VPNs assume “you’re in, so you’re safe.” ZTNA says, “prove it – every time.” That’s the core of the mindset shift.

How Does Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) Work?

ZTNA acts like a smart gatekeeper between users and the apps or services they want to access. It checks who’s asking, what they’re using, and whether everything looks safe before allowing entry. These checks don’t just happen once. They run continuously in the background so the system can spot risk and respond quickly.

Here’s how ZTNA makes this happen…

Identity-Based Access Controls

Everything starts with the user’s identity. ZTNA connects with your existing identity providers, like Azure AD or Okta, and uses tools such as single sign-on and multi-factor authentication to verify who’s logging in. Based on that verified identity, it applies access rules. These rules can be based on the user’s role, department, device, or even time of day.

It’s a precise way to manage access, rather than giving everyone the same level of permission.

Continuous Verification Mechanisms

ZTNA doesn’t stop checking once someone logs in. It keeps watching. If a device suddenly looks risky, the login location is unusual, or the user’s behavior seems out of the ordinary, access can be blocked immediately.

It’s like having a security guard who never gets distracted and notices every red flag the moment it appears.

Role of Micro-Segmentation

Instead of opening the whole network to every user, ZTNA breaks it into smaller, isolated parts. Each app or service is treated separately. Users only get access to what they’ve been approved for. They can’t jump from one system to another without specific permission.

This keeps potential threats contained. If one account is compromised, there’s no easy path for an attacker to reach the rest of your network.

Key Benefits of Implementing ZTNA

ZTNA isn’t just about blocking threats. It also makes life easier for users and gives IT more control, with fewer gaps to worry about.

Enhanced Security

ZTNA removes the idea of automatic trust. Every request is verified before access is granted. It checks identity, device health, and context, like location or time of day. If anything seems off, access is denied.

This limits how far an attacker can go, even if they get in with stolen credentials. There is no open network to move around in, just isolated apps with tightly controlled access.

Seamless Remote Work Enablement

ZTNA lets people connect securely from anywhere without needing a VPN. There is no bulky software or slow tunnels to deal with. Users get access only to the apps they need, nothing more.

It is fast, easy to use, and works on both company-managed and personal devices. That makes it perfect for remote and hybrid teams.

Reduced Attack Surface

With ZTNA, if a user does not have access to an app or system, they cannot even see that it exists. This keeps your infrastructure hidden from anyone who does not need to be there.

Fewer exposed systems mean fewer opportunities for attackers to find a way in. Even if one user or device is compromised, the rest of your network stays protected.

Better Visibility and Control

ZTNA logs every request and every action. IT teams can see who accessed what, when, and from where – all in one place.

You also get more control. Access can be granted or revoked instantly without waiting for firewall changes or reconfigurations. That makes user management simpler and response times faster.

Common ZTNA Models and Architectures

ZTNA can be deployed in a few different ways, depending on your network setup, device ownership, and access needs. The core idea stays the same, but the architecture changes slightly based on how users connect and how apps are hosted.

Service-Initiated ZTNA

In this model, the application or service initiates the connection. A ZTNA broker sits between the user and the app. The app remains invisible until the broker verifies the user’s identity and checks their access permissions.

Only after this verification does the broker allow a secure, one-to-one connection to that specific app. The user never sees anything else on the network. This model works well when you want to keep sensitive resources hidden and fully protected behind strict controls.

Device-Initiated ZTNA

Here, the user’s device starts the connection. The device reaches out to the ZTNA controller, proves its identity, and requests access to specific apps.

This model is a good fit when devices are managed by the organization. Since the system already trusts the device and can enforce compliance rules, it gives IT more control at the endpoint. If the device falls out of compliance, access can be blocked automatically.

Cloud-Based ZTNA Solutions

These solutions are hosted by third-party providers and delivered through the cloud. They work across different environments, whether your apps are on-premises, in the cloud, or spread across multiple platforms.

Cloud-based ZTNA is often the easiest to deploy. There is no hardware to maintain, and updates are handled by the provider. This model is ideal for hybrid or fully remote teams and for organizations that want to roll out Zero Trust quickly without overhauling their infrastructure.

ZTNA Use Cases Across Industries

Zero Trust Network Access is not just for large enterprises or tech companies. It solves real, everyday challenges across industries, from finance and healthcare to manufacturing and education. Wherever secure access is needed, ZTNA can help.

Securing Remote Workforces

Remote and hybrid work has become the norm, but traditional security models have not kept up. VPNs are often slow, unreliable, and hard to scale.

ZTNA offers a cleaner approach. It gives employees secure access to only the apps and data they need, no matter where they’re working from or what device they’re using. It does not rely on full network access, which means even remote teams can work safely without putting your internal systems at risk.

Whether people are working from home, on the go, or in shared spaces, ZTNA helps keep their access secure and focused.

Access Control for Third-Party Vendors

Most organizations work with vendors, contractors, or partners who need temporary access to internal systems. That access, if not managed properly, can become a major risk.

ZTNA lets you grant limited access to just one system or app, for a specific time, and from a specific device if needed. Once the job is done, access can be revoked instantly.

There’s no need to give vendors full VPN access or expose your network more than necessary. ZTNA makes third-party access safer and easier to manage.

Cloud Migration & Multi-Cloud Security

As more businesses move to the cloud or adopt a mix of platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, managing secure access becomes more complex.

ZTNA helps you apply consistent access policies across all your environments. Whether your apps are on-premises, in one cloud, or across several, ZTNA treats them the same way, protecting each one with identity-based controls and continuous verification.

It simplifies your security posture and reduces the chance of gaps during cloud transitions.

Secure Your Network with Akku’s Tailored ZTNA Solutions

ZTNA is not just a replacement for your old VPN. It’s a smarter, more flexible way to control who gets access to what, without exposing your entire network.

At Akku, we help you make that shift smoothly. Our ZTNA solutions are built around how your teams work, what tools you use, and what you need to protect. Whether you’re managing remote access, onboarding vendors, or securing cloud apps, we make sure access stays tight and simple.

You don’t have to tear down your existing setup to get started. We work with what you already have, bring in Zero Trust where it matters, and give you full visibility and control without added complexity.

Ready to take the next step? Let’s talk.