In a bid to strengthen cyber-security and address the problem of remembering multiple passwords Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will support FIDO (Fast Identification Online) with an aim to having eye-scanning and fingerprint scanning capabilities on all devices in the future. The new OS will support the newest version of FIDO, FIDO 2.0.

FIDO is a non-profit organization that was formed in 2012, whose mission statement is to “change the nature of authentication” with the complete removal of passwords, something Microsoft has stated is a “top priority”.

In a blog Microsoft said that, “Transitioning away from passwords and to a stronger form of identity is one of the great challenges that we face in online computing, and we believe FIDO authentication, which is the subject of great discussion here at the White House summit, is the pathway to success.”

FIDO, which has already been added to the Windows 10 technical preview, will allow devices to work with a variety of biometric authentication readers. Working as an open standard, which is already supported by Google, PayPal, and Bank of America, FIDO protects user privacy by keeping the user information local using zero-knowledge proof, effectively makes identification un-hackable, something that would have a profound effect on consumers’ sense of security. The move towards new and improved, localized, authentication methods is something various tech companies have been fine-tuning for some time (As part of the FIDO Alliance Microsoft is now contributing to the design process), and it seems like the FIDO Alliance has brought the big tech companies together, all but Apple Inc. who has their own has its own approach to biometric scanning, Touch ID.

The new authenticating capabilities, as part of the Windows 10 technical preview. Microsoft writes, will mean that, “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.” The new build, says Microsoft, will showcase integration with Windows 10 sign-in, Azure Active Directory, and access SaaS services such Office 365 Exchange Online, Salesforce, Citrix, Box, Concur.

Photo credit: FIDO spec overview