Passwordless Authentication with Zscaler: The Future is Now

Passwordless authentication with Zscaler is no longer a future feature; it’s a present requirement. Every second spent handling passwords increases attack surface. Every password reset is wasted time. The combination of passwordless authentication and Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange strips away that weak link.

Zscaler’s platform already enforces identity-driven security at the edge. By integrating passwordless authentication, you remove stored credentials from the equation. Instead of static secrets, authentication relies on strong, phishing-resistant factors: biometrics, hardware keys, or device-bound certificates. This sharply cuts brute-force attempts, credential stuffing, and lateral movement inside compromised networks.

The workflow is simple. Identities are verified against your IdP via standards like SAML or OpenID Connect. Zscaler applies continuous, contextual access checks based on device posture, user role, and application sensitivity. When tied to passwordless methods, login events are fast and irreversible by attackers. There’s no credential vault to breach. No reset to intercept.

Deployment is straightforward. Configure your IdP for passwordless methods, such as FIDO2-based WebAuthn, and link it to Zscaler’s authentication settings. Apply policies that enforce these methods for all user groups. Use ZPA (Zscaler Private Access) and ZIA (Zscaler Internet Access) to apply Zero Trust across private apps and the open internet without passwords in the path.

Performance improves because successful logins route through efficient identity checks, not password databases. Security posture improves because there’s nothing to phish. Compliance audits are cleaner. And for scaling, passwordless logins reduce support tickets, freeing teams for actual engineering work.

Zscaler shows that passwordless authentication is not a trend. It’s a high-leverage move that removes one of the most targeted vulnerabilities in your infrastructure.

See how passwordless authentication works in Zscaler — and how to implement it on your stack — live in minutes at hoop.dev.