Microsoft Announces FIDO Authentication Support In Windows 10

Microsoft today confirmed that FIDO Authentication support is coming in Windows 10. Microsoft has also contributed design inputs to the Fast IDentity Online (FIDO) Alliance, to be incorporated within FIDO 2.0 Technical Specifications. Microsoft is working with major industry partners to change the nature of authentication by developing specifications that define an open, scalable, interoperable set of mechanisms that supplant reliance on passwords to more securely authenticate users of online services.

Our current implementation in the Windows 10 Technical Preview reflects our inputs into the FIDO 2.0 Specification Technical Working Group and members of the Windows Insider Program can start evaluating it right away. The current Technical Preview build enables a number of enterprise scenarios and it showcases our integration with Windows 10 sign-in, Azure Active Directory, and access to major SaaS services like Office 365 Exchange Online, Salesforce, Citrix, Box, Concur, just to name a few. With Windows 10, for the very first time Windows devices and Microsoft-owned and partner SaaS services supported by Azure Active Directory authentication can be accessed end-to-end using an enterprise-grade two-factor authentication solution – all without a password. Windows 10 will also include Active Directory integration for on-premise scenarios and Microsoft Account integration for our consumer Microsoft services such as Outlook.com, OneDrive, and more.

“Microsoft’s launch of Windows 10 accelerates the broad adoption of FIDO authentication and heralds 2015 as the year of deployments,” said Brett McDowell, Executive Director of the FIDO Alliance. “With Microsoft embracing the FIDO vision, we are one step closer to an online experience that is simple, secure and consistent.”

Read more about it here.