Implementing Passkey Authentication: A Guide to Key Management and Security

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Outline: Implementing Passkey Authentication: A Guide to Key Management and Security

1. Introduction

Overview of Passkey Authentication
- Definition and purpose
- Advantages over traditional methods
- Brief explanation of public and private keys

2. Understanding Public and Private Keys

Public Key
- Role and purpose in authentication
- How it is used and stored
Private Key
- Role and purpose in authentication
- Importance of secure storage on the user's device

3. Creating Public and Private Keys

Generating Keys
- Tools and libraries for key generation (e.g., OpenSSL, WebCrypto API)
- Example code snippets for key generation
Key Format
- Formats for public and private keys (e.g., PEM, DER)

4. Storing Keys

Storing the Private Key
- Secure storage practices on user devices
- Encryption and protection methods
- Example implementations for different platforms (e.g., Android, iOS)
Storing the Public Key
- Storing on the server
- Database considerations
- Security practices for server-side storage

5. Authentication Process

Authentication Flow
- Step-by-step process overview
- How public and private keys are used
Example Workflow
- User registration: Generating and sending keys
- User authentication: Verifying the public key and private key

6. Implementing Passkey Authentication

Frontend Implementation
- Collecting and sending keys from the user’s device
- Example code for handling passkey operations
Backend Implementation
- Validating the public key
- Example code for key verification and authentication
Error Handling
- Common issues and troubleshooting
- Security considerations

7. Best Practices

Security Best Practices
- Key protection and management
- Regular key rotation and updates
Compliance and Standards
- Relevant standards and regulations (e.g., FIDO2, WebAuthn)

8. Conclusion

Summary of Key Points
- Recap of the importance of passkey authentication
- Benefits of proper key management
Next Steps
- Additional resources and tools for further implementation
- Encouragement to explore further security enhancements

9. References and Resources

Links to Documentation
- Official documentation for tools and libraries used
Further Reading
- Articles, books, or guides on advanced authentication techniques