About passkeys

You can setup and use a 'passkey' on most modern desktop and laptop computers. Passkeys are a new global recognised identity standard to help users easily access secure services. For more details refer to the passkey notes below or search the internet for 'passkeys'.

• For a quick introduction, try this 30 second video from Google: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7YBTYjfbQ4
• This 4 minute video from Microsoft goes in to a bit more detail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdp8RdjV6PU

To use a passkey, you need one or more of the following:

• The Windows 'Hello' sign-in (or equivalent on other systems) - The 'Windows Hello' sign-in service is the simplest method to setup your first passkey. You can setup a simple PIN to use for signing in. If your desktop or computer device has a camera and or fingerprint reader, you should be able to use facial recognition or you can just tap your fingerprint reader instead.

• A mobile phone and a computer with Bluetooth - You can use a mobile phone to sign-in if it has a screen lock and both devices have Bluetooth too. Your desktop computer may not have Bluetooth available, but most laptops do. If your desktop doesn't have Bluetooth, you might be able to add this capability or use the 'Windows Hello' sign-in method instead.

• A hardware security key - You may prefer to use hardware key devices. Any FIDO2 device should be compatible (e.g. Yubikey).

Only create passkeys on your personal or trusted devices that you control - anyone who can unlock the device could use your passkey to sign into the passkey enabled account as you. Remember, it is important that you do not share your sign-in credentials with colleagues.