Passwordless authentication replaces them with cryptographic proof and identity-bound keys. No shared secrets. No hashing games. The user authenticates with WebAuthn, FIDO2, or other strong factors tied to their device. This stops phishing, credential stuffing, and brute force at the root.
Enforcing a passwordless authentication policy is not just a security measure—it is control. Systems must define allowed methods, ensure all endpoints comply, and reject legacy credentials. Policy enforcement means monitoring every auth request, validating it against configured rules, and logging violations immediately.
Start with clear definitions: which factors are permitted, which identity providers are trusted, and which devices can enroll. Implement centralized enforcement in your auth gateway or identity platform. Use conditional access to block non-compliant requests. Require attestation from authenticators to prove provenance. Audit regularly and integrate with SIEM tools to detect policy drift.