The Fast IDentity Online (Fido) Alliance has released a draft of technical specifications to be finalised by the second half of this year, which could eliminate the use of passwords in the future.
Fido’s Online Security Transaction Protocol (OSTP) protocol would instead perform much tougher multi-factor identity checks usingalternatives including biometrics, Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs), USB security tokens, embedded secure elements (eSEs) and smart cards.
Fido Alliance president Michael Barrett said the latest authentication is more secure, private and easier-to-use.
"Furthermore, we encourage Relying Parties to begin testing their unique Fido authentication needs with the commercial solutions already available from many Fido member companies," he said.
Specifications offered by Fido allows online services to use device-specific authentication capabilities within an interoperable infrastructure, letting service providers and users choose their own authentication methods.
The authentication can also be merged using existing industry standards including OpenID and SAML.
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