A Disciplined Procurement Guide for Passwordless Authentication
The first breach hit before anyone saw it coming. Credentials were stolen, reused, and sold. Passwords had failed—again.
Passwordless authentication changes the equation. It removes the most exploited attack vector while simplifying access for users and admins. But to deploy it across an organization, you need a structured procurement process that avoids costly dead ends.
Define Requirements Early
Start with a clear technical and compliance scope. List the authentication methods you will allow: WebAuthn, FIDO2, passkeys, magic links, one-time codes. Identify supported platforms, devices, and browsers. Map integrations with your identity provider, single sign-on, and legacy systems. If you have regulatory constraints like PCI-DSS or HIPAA, note them now.
Evaluate Security Capabilities
Vendor claims are not enough. Verify hardware-backed authentication support. Confirm proof-of-possession flows prevent token replay. Review encryption standards, key storage policies, and resistance to phishing and man-in-the-middle attacks. Ask for independent security audits and penetration test reports.
Assess Developer Experience
A solution that is secure but slow to implement wastes resources. Review SDK quality, API consistency, and documentation depth. Check if client libraries exist for your key stacks. Run a quick proof-of-concept to expose integration pain points before full commitment.
Measure User Experience
Adoption fails if sign-in feels alien or unreliable. Ensure smooth enrollment, fallback options, and recovery flows. Test latency across devices and networks. Evaluate how the system handles edge cases, offline devices, or browser quirks.
Plan for Deployment and Scale
Passwordless authentication must fit into existing infrastructure without breaking critical paths. Align rollout with your change management process. Stagger deployments to monitor metrics and user feedback. Demand monitoring hooks, audit logs, and clear incident response procedures.
Negotiate Contracts with Clarity
Ensure SLAs cover uptime, support response, and breach notification timelines. Review data residency terms, API limits, and licensing models. Avoid vendor lock-in by confirming export options for user credentials or keys.
Future-Proof the Investment
Standards evolve. Choose a provider that tracks emerging protocols and offers backward compatibility. Ensure that device or browser changes will not disrupt service.
A disciplined passwordless authentication procurement process cuts risk and accelerates adoption. It demands rigor in requirements, security, developer tools, user experience, scalability, and contracts. Done right, it delivers stronger security and smoother access in one move.
Ready to skip passwords without the guesswork? Try passwordless authentication with hoop.dev and see it live in minutes.