The Passwordless Authentication Procurement Cycle

The moment the first password fails, the clock starts. Attackers move fast. Passwordless authentication stops them. But choosing the right system is not about hype—it’s about a precise procurement cycle that works from first need to final rollout.

Step 1: Define Security and Compliance Requirements
List the protocols your system must support: WebAuthn, FIDO2, passkeys. Map these to regulatory demands like GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC 2. Only consider vendors with verifiable compliance audits.

Step 2: Evaluate Integration Points
Your current stack matters. Review SDKs, API endpoints, and identity provider compatibility. Passwordless authentication should integrate without rewriting core logic. Test for latency impacts and session resilience.

Step 3: Assess User Experience
Speed and simplicity drive adoption. Measure login flows in clicks and seconds. Minimize fallback to passwords. A seamless flow for first-time registration and repeat sign-ins is critical.

Step 4: Vendor Security Provenance
Request documentation on key storage, cryptographic methods, and device-binding strategies. Verify multi-device support and recovery flows that do not reintroduce password risk.

Step 5: Pilot and Stress Test
Deploy to a small, controlled user group. Simulate device loss, network failures, and endpoint compromise. Gather metrics on authentication success rates, failover stability, and false rejection incidents.

Step 6: Procurement Sign-Off
Compile technical findings, total cost of ownership, and vendor SLAs. Approve only if the solution meets every requirement without hidden dependencies.

The passwordless authentication procurement cycle is a disciplined workflow. Done right, it removes the weakest link in identity systems. Done wrong, it leaves gaps you can’t patch later.

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