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The UK government has announced plans to roll out passkey technology across its GOV.UK digital services later this year, replacing SMS-based verification with a more secure and cost-effective alternative.
This announcement, made during the opening of the government’s flagship cyber security conference, CYBERUK, marks a significant advancement in the UK’s commitment to enhancing digital security for everyone.
For those of us who care deeply about protecting small businesses from preventable cyber threats, this announcement represents a major step forward in making phishing-resistant security accessible to all.
Let’s take a moment to consider what this really means.
Sarah, a small business owner, is rushing between client meetings when she receives an urgent email that appears to be from a supplier. She clicks a link, enters her password on what looks like a legitimate website, and unwittingly gives cybercriminals access to her business accounts.
This scenario plays out thousands of times every day across the UK. Not because people are careless, but because they’re human – trying to be responsive and efficient in a digital world designed to trick them.
The harsh reality is that phishing was responsible for 84% of business breaches in the UK last year. Despite our best efforts with complex passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), scammers and cybercriminals continue to find ways to exploit these very human moments.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) views the adoption of passkeys as a crucial step in strengthening the UK’s national cyber resilience. The NHS is already one of the first government bodies worldwide to implement passkey login options.
AI and Digital Government Minister Feryal Clark explained: “The rollout of passkeys across GOV.UK services marks another major step forward in strengthening the UK’s digital defences while improving the user experience for millions.”
She added: “Replacing older methods like SMS verification with modern, secure passkeys will make it quicker and easier for people to access essential services – without needing to remember complex passwords or wait for text messages.”
This isn’t just about government services. When a national security body like the NCSC makes such a significant move, it signals a fundamental shift: we’re finally moving beyond expecting people to be perfect 100% of the time.
Click Here for more information on Passkeys and how the tech works.
NCSC Chief Technical Officer Ollie Whitehouse emphasised this point: “The NCSC has a stated objective for the UK to move beyond passwords in favour of passkeys, as they are secure against common cyber threats such as phishing and credential stuffing.”
He continued with clear advice for businesses: “We strongly advise all organisations to implement passkeys wherever possible to enhance security, provide users with faster, frictionless logins and to save significant costs on SMS authentication.”
For small and medium-sized businesses, this carries an important message: the technology that protects us shouldn’t depend on human perfection. We need security that works during busy Monday mornings, when we’re rushing to finish before the weekend, or when we’re juggling multiple priorities.
Beyond the security benefits, the NCSC announcement highlighted something that matters to every business owner: passkeys give your team valuable time back.
Passkeys reduce login time by roughly a minute compared to traditional methods. Microsoft reports that signing in with passkeys takes about 8 seconds on average – compared to 69 seconds using a password plus second factor.
Imagine what your team could accomplish if they weren’t spending time:
Small time savings multiply into significant productivity gains across your entire business.
The NCSC has honestly acknowledged several challenges that still need to be addressed:
These are real concerns that shouldn’t be dismissed. However, they aren’t reasons to delay adoption – they’re reasons to approach implementation thoughtfully.
At Lumina Technologies, we’ve been helping small businesses implement phishing-resistant security with a focus on the human element. We understand that security isn’t just about technology – it’s about people and how they work.
Think about your own team:
Each of these dedicated professionals deserves security that protects them even during their busiest moments.
The government’s announcement confirms what cybersecurity experts have been saying: the future of authentication must be phishing-resistant. Businesses that adopt these technologies now will protect their teams and their data from the most common attack methods.
The NCSC has joined the FIDO Alliance, the global body shaping the future of password-free authentication. Andrew Shikiar, Executive Director and CEO of the FIDO Alliance, noted: “By prioritising modern, phishing-resistant authentication, the UK is setting a strong example for both the public and private sectors in the UK and beyond.”
For business owners, this creates clarity about the future direction of security standards.
If you haven’t yet explored how passkeys could strengthen your business’s security, the government’s endorsement provides assurance that this technology is becoming mainstream.
Our approach at Lumina is to implement security that works with your team, not against them. Through our PRISM Business and Enterprise packages, we offer phishing-resistant security measures that protect your people even when they make innocent mistakes.
We appreciate how hard it is being the founder of your own business. You shouldn’t have to choose between security and productivity – and with modern phishing-resistant technologies, you don’t have to.
One click shouldn’t risk your company. Not anymore.
Remember, good security isn’t about expecting perfection from your team – it’s about protecting them so they can focus on what they do best: helping your business grow.
Click Here to find out more about Lumina’s IT security journey and Cyber Security Services!
Sources: (5) NCSC Announces UK Pioneering Global Move Away From Passwords | LinkedIn
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