Millions of people to benefit from simpler, more secure way to…

Passkeys are being rolled out across GOV.UK One Login, giving more than 23 million users a faster and more secure way to access government services, such as accessing childcare services or renewing their driver’s licence.

A passkey lets people securely sign in using their fingerprint, Face ID or PIN instead of a password. This means people can access services without having to remember or type a password. Passkey logins are up to 8 times faster than signing in with username, password and 2-step verification code.

More than 300,000 users successfully switched to passkeys during the initial trial, and they are now being made available to millions more GOV.UK One Login users. Nearly one in 10 daily GOV.UK One Login sign-ins are now made using passkeys, helping to save the British taxpayer nearly £600 a day in SMS costs.

Passkeys can also help protect people from phishing and other cyber threats. Because they are tied to a specific device and website, passkeys cannot be guessed or reused, and there is no password for scammers to steal through a phishing email or fake website.

The biometric or PIN information used to unlock a passkey stays on the user’s device and is not seen or stored by GOV.UK One Login.

Digital Government Minister Stephanie Peacock said:

Nobody enjoys hunting for a forgotten password or waiting for a text message code just to check their tax return or renew a document. Passkeys mean people can access the services they rely on in seconds, using the same fingerprint or face scan they already use to unlock their phone.

This is about making government services simpler and safer for everyone, while giving people stronger protection against the fraudsters who target passwords.

GOV.UK One Login provides access to a growing range of government services, including checking a State Pension, managing tax services and accessing childcare support.

The National Cyber Security Centre recommends passkeys as a more secure alternative to passwords, because they can’t be intercepted, reused or stolen.

Jonathon Ellison, NCSC Director for National Resilience said:

The introduction of passkeys for GOV.UK One Login will give users a faster, simpler and more secure way to sign in to many public-facing government services while leaving password headaches behind.

Cyber criminals often look for the easiest route to access important accounts, which means login details remain a common target. But passkeys offer a highly phishing-resistant alternative to passwords, frustrating attackers and saving the public time.

We strongly encourage users to set up a passkey for GOV.UK One Login and to do so wherever passkeys are available across digital services. By taking this small but significant step, you can help protect your online accounts and raise our collective resilience, making the UK safer.

Passkeys are optional, so people can continue to use a password to sign in if they prefer. Those who choose to set up a passkey can use their device’s existing security features to access GOV.UK One Login quickly and securely.

Notes

• Passkeys use device-based security such as Face ID, fingerprint, or PIN, instead of a password.
• The technology is recommended by the National Cyber Security Centre as more secure and easier to use than passwords.
• For more information on how passkeys work, visit the guidance on GOV.UK and information on the NCSC website.

SOURCE: GOV