---
title: Tired of Passwords? Why Passkeys Are the Cool, New Kid on the Block
description: Tired of fumbling passwords? Nickolas explains how passkeys have streamlined his work as an IT professional...and how they can do the same for your work.
image: https://tektrendz.com/hubfs/The%20Log%20Files%20Issue%201%20(1).webp
---

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 Oct 29, 2026, 1:05:21 PM

# Tired of Passwords? Why Passkeys Are the Cool, New Kid on the Block

![Picture of Nickolas Newnham](https://tektrendz.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Author%20Nickolas%20Newnham%20(1).png?width=50&name=Author%20Nickolas%20Newnham%20(1).png) [Nickolas Newnham](https://tektrendz.com/the-tektrendz-blog/author/nickolas-newnham)

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If I had a nickel for each time I fumbled my password when logging in to a website application, I bet I’d be rich!

As someone who works in IT, I tend to switch between multiple different platforms — *a lot*. This can be frustrating and time consuming, especially when the platforms I use have onerous login processes. 

Thankfully, I'm here to tell you there *is* a better way: the passkey.

It's made a real difference in my work as an IT technician.

 

## Then & Now: Unlocking an Effortless Login With Passkeys

I recently signed up for a new business application, and they immediately asked me to set up a passkey. This may have been the first time an application offered a passkey sign-in right up front . Since I have been using passkeys more and more, I was delighted.  For once, account setup was uncommonly quick and painless, and I was able to get right to work. 

Typically, as you can probably relate, it's a whole ordeal to sign in to a website. I enter the password (if I remember) and then get a multi-factor authentication (MFA) code via text or email. But if the website asks me right off the bat whether I want a passkey, it's sort of like asking if I want to set up a "password" and MFA *at the same time*. Two actions in one. 

Because passkeys are fundamentally different, logging in with a passkey is sort of like doing both the password prompt and the MFA code at the same time. Honestly, it's kind of a game-changer, as now I can quickly log in to my accounts without worrying whether my password is secure — or even whether I can remember my password in the first place. 

Over the past few months, I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of applications that now support passkeys. [Here's a handy database keeping track for us](https://passkeys.directory/). From my experiences, it seems passkeys are quickly becoming the rule rather than the exception. Website after website now gives me the option, and I couldn't be happier with the streamlined sign-in process.

*And...the time I'm saving.* 

![Quote from Nickolas Newnham about the benefits of passkeys](https://tektrendz.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Issue%201.webp?width=1000&height=250&name=Issue%201.webp)

Now, I understand passkeys are a mystery for most people. I'm in IT, and it's still sort of mysterious to *me*.

Lots of questions popped in my mind the first time I heard the passkey concept: 

- Is it a physical object I store somewhere?
- Where does it live?
- If I can't see a passkey, how does it even exist?

So, let's dispel some of the magic and mystery surrounding passkeys — and see how they really work. 

 

## Under the Hood With Passkeys: Dispelling the Mystery

In some ways, a passkey is just a key — without the keychain or, for that matter, the tangible key itself.  

Think of a passkey as a randomly generated digital key (essentially a pair of very long, mathematically linked numbers) based on secure cryptographic technology, with a private half that never leaves your device. Traditional passwords that everyone is familiar with are essentially just a string of characters, not a very sophisticated way to secure your identity and access.

Unlike traditional passwords, it's virtually impossible to steal or guess a passkey. Though this is true generally, there are exceptions to almost everything in technology. Let's just say, the bad actors out there would have a much harder time stealing your passkey than they would guessing or even stealing one of your traditional passwords. *Much* harder.

### *Passkeys work like this (in simple terms):*

- You have a very long, randomly generated key that never leaves your device or account. There’s no “sending” this key across the internet where it could potentially be intercepted.
- On the other end, the website you’re logging in to holds a matching "lock," created from your key when you first set up the passkey.
- When you log in, the site issues a challenge that only your key can answer. The lock confirms the answer and authenticates your access. *Voilà*, you have access.

All the while, you never have to enter a password, and, on your end, the passkey never leaves your device. Which is super cool from a security point of view. 

In a way, you are the sole owner of your passkey.

## ![How passkeys work in three simple steps.](https://tektrendz.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20graphics%20(16)%20(1).webp?width=1000&height=250&name=Blog%20graphics%20(16)%20(1).webp)

Sound like something you'd like to start exploring? If so, the natural question is..."how do I get started?"

Let's take a look.

 

## Passkeys: How to Get Started — the Easy Way

I would say the best way to start is to have a centralized place to store your passwords/passkeys, namely a password manager. Most of the current password managers on the market support storing passkeys.

Because of the way password managers work with browsers and browser extensions, these managers make it easy to log in to websites via passkey.

Essentially, the password manager can detect when you are logging in to a particular website, and it will ask whether you want to sign in via passkey for that particular website. All you do is click the "sign in with passkey" button that appears on the screen. 

No need to input a password, and there's usually no pesky MFA code either. 

There are other places you can store a passkey, such as an authenticator app on your phone or even as a security key within physical hardware (e.g., a laptop). Of the two, the latter is more secure, as it requires physical interaction with the device, such as touching your finger to the biometrics key.

I know what you're thinking:  "What if I lose my phone or laptop?"

Or, "What if I can't access my password manager?" 

My recommendation would be not to store all your eggs in one basket. Instead, set up some alternate passkeys that are stored on other devices. Especially the more important websites that you access. I wouldn't go crazy and create two passkeys for every application, maybe just the important ones.

Starting slow is a good idea; just get used to passkeys at first. Once you understand the concept and how to access websites, then I would suggest setting up alternate passkeys on different devices.

## Tired of Fumbling Passwords? Passkeys Are the Key

As an IT professional at TekTrendz, trust me, passkeys have made my work — and life — a lot easier. 

No more fumbling passwords. Very little waiting on MFA texts. Signing in has just gotten a whole lot easier.

And I want to share this good news with other businesses of Northwest Arkansas. 

Simplify your life — start your passkey journey today.

Want more advice about technology and cybersecurity from an IT professional from right here in Northwest Arkansas?

*Subscribe to The Log Files with Nickolas Newnham today!*

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