Microsoft announces biometric security for Windows 10

In a recent Windows blog post, Microsoft announced it contributed design inputs to the Fast IDentity Online (FIDO) Alliance, to be incorporated within the upcoming FIDO 2.0 technical specifications.

Microsoft recently participated in the White House Cybersecurity and Consumer Protection Summit, which emphasized “shaping a cyber-savvy workforce and moving beyond passwords in partnership with the private sector.”

In the blog post, Microsoft group program manager Dustin Ingalls wrote about how one of the biggest challenges in online computing is to move away from a password system and ultimately form a stronger identity authorization method.

”To address this challenge we joined the FIDO Alliance, where we are working alongside major industry partners to change the nature of authentication by developing specifications that define an open, scalable, interoperable set of mechanisms that supplant reliance on passwords to more securely authenticate users of online services,” wrote Ingalls.

Microsoft’s current implementation in the Windows 10 Technical Preview mirrors its inputs into the FIDO 2.0 Specification Technical Working Group.

Members of the Windows Insider Program are now able to evaluate the technical preview, which offers a range of enterprise scenarios, demonstrates integration with Windows 10 sign-in, Azure Active Directory, and provides access to various SaaS services including Office 365 Exchange Online, Salesforce, Citrix, Box and Concur.

Windows 10 will allow Windows devices and Microsoft-owned and partner SaaS services supported by Azure Active Directory authentication to be accessed end-to-end using an enterprise-grade two-factor authentication solution. Users will not be required to use a password.

The new version of Windows will also feature Active Directory integration for on-premise scenarios and Microsoft Account integration for all consumer Microsoft services, including Outlook.com and OneDrive.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  FIDO Alliance  |  Microsoft  |  two-factor authentication  |  Windows