Microsoft has confirmed the addition of a password replacement offering with support for Fast IDentity Online (FIDO) Alliance authentication for its upcoming Windows 10 OS.
The tech major has contributed design inputs to the FIDO Alliance for integration within FIDO 2.0 Technical Specifications.
It has also joined hands with major industry partners to transform the nature of authentication with new specifications that describe an open, scalable, interoperable set of mechanisms supplanting dependence on passwords and boosting users’ online security.
Microsoft group programme manager Dustin Ingalls said: "Moving the world away from passwords is an enormous task, and FIDO will succeed where others have failed."
"The need and appetite for change has never been greater, and we’re thrilled to be part of this great working group whose members are actively transitioning FIDO solutions from the drawing board to implementations capable of large scale deployment."
Several enterprise scenarios have already been enabled to feature FIDO authentication including Windows 10 sign-in, Azure Active Directory, and major SaaS services.
Microsoft is also planning to showcase FIDO authentication in Windows 10 Active Directory integration for on-premise scenarios and Microsoft Account incorporation for consumer services, including Outlook.com and OneDrive.
FIDO Alliance executive director Brett McDowell said: "Microsoft’s launch of Windows 10 accelerates the broad adoption of FIDO authentication and heralds 2015 as the year of deployments."
"With Microsoft embracing the FIDO vision, we are one step closer to an online experience that is simple, secure and consistent."
