Passwordless authentication with query-level approval

Passwordless authentication with query-level approval changes the balance of power. It removes passwords entirely and adds explicit, auditable consent for every critical operation. No reused credentials. No stored secrets. Every sensitive query is authorized at the exact moment it is executed.

This method integrates passwordless login—via WebAuthn, passkeys, or hardware keys—with a workflow that intercepts queries before they reach the database. The system pauses, surfaces the request details, and waits for an approval tied to the authenticated identity. The approval action is cryptographically bound to that operation. Once confirmed, the query runs. Without confirmation, it dies without touching data.

Query-level approval eliminates the gap between authentication and action. Even after a user session is established, an attacker who gains control cannot execute destructive commands without triggering a visible prompt. This stops lateral movement inside compromised accounts and closes common privilege escalation paths.

Auditing becomes precise. Each approval generates a record with the query text, timestamp, user identity, and verification method. Security teams can trace every high-impact change to the individual who approved it. No shared credentials mean no doubt about who acted.

Implementation is straightforward with modern APIs. Passwordless authentication handles initial login. Middleware layer captures and analyzes queries flagged as sensitive—delete statements, bulk updates, schema changes—and requires explicit approval. Real-time notifications can be pushed to a secure device or app, ensuring that only verified actors can trigger these commands.

The result is a lean, high-security approach: no passwords to steal, no silent destructive queries, and a complete audit trail. It is fast, direct, and built for the realities of modern security threats.

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