Stronger Session Security with Passkeys and IPQS

Passkeys represent a major shift in authentication by allowing users to sign in to apps and websites using the same action they use to unlock their device, passkeys eliminate passwords and remove the threat of credential phishing. They rely on cryptographic key pairs that are always strong and provide a consistent, user friendly sign in experience across devices.

As the FIDO Alliance highlights, passkeys “remove the threat of credential phishing entirely by replacing passwords with strong cryptographic authentication”.

As organizations adopt passkeys, many are also exploring how to build an even more complete protection strategy around this modern authentication method. A passkey confirms that the correct user holds the correct private key on the correct device. To reach the highest assurance level, organizations often combine this authentication layer with risk and identity intelligence that evaluates everything surrounding the sign in event.

IPQS provides this complementary intelligence through a multi-layered approach that strengthens the entire session. While the passkey handles the authentication itself, IPQS assesses network reputation, device integrity, identity quality, and behavioral patterns in real time. Together, these signals create a more complete and adaptive understanding of trust.

Network and IP intelligence that extends passkey protection

Passkeys confirm who is authenticating. IPQS confirms where they are authenticating from. Modern fraud can involve carefully hidden network activity such as residential proxies, VPNs, hijacked networks, automated traffic, and high velocity IP rotation. IPQS maintains precise IP reputation data that identifies these conditions as they happen. This gives organizations an added level of confidence that the session originates from a trustworthy network environment.

Device fingerprinting and environment integrity

A passkey verifies the private key stored on the user’s device. IPQS evaluates the integrity of the device environment itself. This includes identifying virtual machines, emulators, automation tools, browser manipulation, repeated device resets, and indicators of device farming. These signals help organizations confirm that the session reflects genuine user behavior and not an automated workflow attempting to mimic normal activity, vs relying solely on device IDs.

Identity validation through email and phone intelligence

Passkeys remove passwords, and since many onboarding and account recovery flows also rely on email and phone information, IPQS strengthens these flows by analyzing email deliverability, disposable inbox patterns, domain integrity, carrier and line type data, and known fraud associations. This multi-layered identity verification helps organizations reduce fake accounts, prevent synthetic identities, and maintain higher quality user populations.

A complete multi-layered protection model

When combined, these layers create a security model that builds on the strengths of passkeys and extends them into a full trust evaluation. Passkeys deliver the authentication strength. IPQS delivers environmental, behavioral, and identity intelligence that supports continuous verification. This creates a higher assurance level that is well suited for regulated industries, sensitive workflows, and platforms that face complex fraud patterns.

This combined approach provides:

• Stronger protection against automated and anonymized attacks

• Continuous trust evaluation before and after authentication

• Better accuracy in detecting synthetic identities and coordinated abuse

• Higher integrity onboarding and account recovery workflows

• An adaptive risk strategy supported by real time signals

Ideal for security conscious and high assurance environments

The combination of passkeys and IPQS is especially effective for organizations that depend on high trust identity flows, including:

• Financial institutions and fintech platforms that must meet strict KYC and fraud prevention requirements

• Marketplaces and platforms impacted by synthetic identities and repeated account creation attempts

• Crypto and Blockchain services where automation and device manipulation are common

• Global enterprises deploying passwordless strategies as part of zero trust initiatives

• Any environment where authentication strength must be paired with a deeper understanding of user, device, identity, and network trust

Key Takeaway

Passkeys provide a strong and user friendly path to passwordless authentication. When paired with the multi-layered intelligence of IPQS, organizations gain a broader and more complete understanding of the session, the device, the network, and the identity behind every sign in. This combined strategy reduces fraud, and supports secure passwordless journeys that are ready for modern digital ecosystems.