About Passkeys

This article is for faculty, staff, and student employees wanting to know more about passkey and why it is being implemented at the university as a multi-factor authentication method.

Overview

Audience: Faculty, Staff, Students

Passkeys are an authentication method used to securely sign in to online accounts and applications. Instead of using a password, passkeys verify a user’s identity through a device‑based method such as a PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition.  

Watch the video below for a quick overview of what passkeys are, and why they are more secure than traditional passwords. 

Why the University is Moving to Passkeys

Passkeys are being adopted to strengthen cybersecurity and reduce the risk of phishing, unauthorized access, and data breaches. As part of IT Services’ ongoing security efforts, the university is transitioning from traditional multifactor authentication (MFA) to passkey. Passkeys provide stronger protection than traditional MFA and offer enhanced resistance to phishing and other cyber threats. 

How Passkeys are More Secure

Passkeys require you to physically be at the device you are trying to log in to. There is no password or code you can give to a bad actor that would give them access to your account.

Who is Required to Use Passkey?

All university faculty, staff, and students  will be required to use passkey to authenticate when accessing university resources. If you are unable or have a reason not to use passkey, you must use YubiKey as your MFA method.  

For information on Yubikey, please see the About Yubikey Knowledge Base Article. 

When Will Passkey be Required? 

All faculty, staff, and students on campus will have until December 1, 2026  to set up a passkey and begin using it. After this date, you will no longer be able to access your account until you set up passkey.

Setting Up Passkey

Adding a Microsoft Passkey  takes about 10 minutes to complete. For instructions on how to set up a passkey, please visit the Set up Microsoft passkey for multifactor authentication article. 

Training

• Microsoft Support: What are passkeys and why they matter

Need Help?

Need more information? Check the Related Articles or Related Services sections on this page (side or at the bottom) for additional resources that might help. 

• Submit a UARK IT Help ticket for access issues.
• Submit an IT training request for personalized support from the IT Training and Outreach.
• (For Help Desk Use) Responsible Group: IT Training and Outreach

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