HID is bringing enterprise-grade passkeys to the mainstream, unveiling a refreshed line of FIDO2 authenticators alongside a new Enterprise Passkey Management (EPM) service designed to provision, monitor, and revoke credentials centrally at scale. The announcement introduces redesigned Crescendo Keys and Cards, a new OMNIKEY 5022 contactless reader, and FIDO-enabled Seos and MIFARE DESFire EV3 cards—all positioned to simplify passwordless rollouts for Windows and Microsoft Entra ID environments. (newsroom.hidglobal.com)
Passkeys have moved from pilot to production. Recent FIDO Alliance research reports that 87% of organizations in the U.S. and UK have deployed or are deploying passkeys for workforce sign-ins, but complexity, cost, and clarity remain top barriers for holdouts. Centralized management and lifecycle controls are the missing pieces many IT teams have been waiting for. (fidoalliance.org, helpnetsecurity.com)
Microsoft has also introduced Graph API capabilities (preview) to provision security key credentials on behalf of users—exactly the sort of flow EPM aims to orchestrate. This alignment can reduce the “last‑mile” friction of issuing device‑bound passkeys at scale for Windows sign‑in and web SSO. (learn.microsoft.com)
Source: ZAWYA HID unveils next-generation FIDO hardware and centralized management at scale
Background: Passkeys surge, enterprises need control
Passkeys have moved from pilot to production. Recent FIDO Alliance research reports that 87% of organizations in the U.S. and UK have deployed or are deploying passkeys for workforce sign-ins, but complexity, cost, and clarity remain top barriers for holdouts. Centralized management and lifecycle controls are the missing pieces many IT teams have been waiting for. (fidoalliance.org, helpnetsecurity.com)What HID announced
Enterprise Passkey Management (EPM)
HID’s new subscription-based EPM provides a single pane of glass for enterprise passkeys, with two headline capabilities:- Remotely initiate and manage provisioning on behalf of users to accelerate deployment and reduce helpdesk load.
- Gain full lifecycle visibility—issuance, revocation, and audit trails—supporting compliance and incident response. (newsroom.hidglobal.com)
Next‑generation Crescendo authenticators
HID’s expanded Crescendo portfolio focuses on flexibility across regulated and mixed environments:- Crescendo Keys: redesigned ergonomics; support for FIDO2, PKI, and OATH; remote PIN reset for smoother operations.
- Crescendo Cards: dual‑purpose corporate badges for physical access and passwordless sign‑in (FIDO2 + PACS).
- OMNIKEY 5022 Contactless Reader: a cost‑effective contactless reader suited to workstation authentication. (newsroom.hidglobal.com)
Physical access meets passwordless
The portfolio also previews FIDO‑enabled Seos and MIFARE DESFire EV3 cards, blending phishing‑resistant FIDO 2.1 authentication with modern physical access credentials—an attractive “one card, two worlds” proposition for facilities and IT teams. (newsroom.hidglobal.com)Why this matters for Windows and Entra ID shops
For Windows 10/11 environments joined to Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), FIDO2 security keys already enable passwordless sign‑in. HID says its new devices are compatible with Entra ID and other major IdPs, making them drop‑in options for organizations standardizing on Microsoft’s stack. (learn.microsoft.com, newsroom.hidglobal.com)Microsoft has also introduced Graph API capabilities (preview) to provision security key credentials on behalf of users—exactly the sort of flow EPM aims to orchestrate. This alignment can reduce the “last‑mile” friction of issuing device‑bound passkeys at scale for Windows sign‑in and web SSO. (learn.microsoft.com)
Under the hood: standards that unlock scale
- FIDO2/WebAuthn and CTAP 2.1/2.2: Newer protocol iterations add enterprise‑friendly features like minimum PIN policies, “AlwaysUV,” and enterprise attestation—useful for inventory tracking and compliance in managed environments. (fidoalliance.org, techcommunity.microsoft.com, developers.yubico.com)
- Smart card and PKI coexistence: Crescendo devices supporting PKI and OATH alongside FIDO2 provide a bridge for organizations with legacy smart card use cases or step‑up authentication needs. (newsroom.hidglobal.com)
- Contactless readers: OMNIKEY 5022’s HID/CCID approach eases deployment across Windows endpoints, including thin clients, while maintaining NFC/FIDO2 compatibility. (hidglobal.com)
Strengths and opportunities
- Consolidated lifecycle control: EPM’s centralized provisioning and revocation address the top operational blockers to passwordless at enterprise scale, especially in hybrid Windows fleets. (newsroom.hidglobal.com)
- One credential for doors and desktops: FIDO‑enabled Seos and DESFire EV3 cards can streamline badge management and help unify PACS and logical access projects. (newsroom.hidglobal.com)
- Deep Microsoft fit: Native Entra ID support and alignment with Microsoft’s passwordless guidance reduce adoption friction for Windows admins. (learn.microsoft.com)
Risks and open questions
- Pricing and SKUs: HID hasn’t publicly detailed EPM licensing tiers or per‑user costs. Organizations should budget for hardware plus subscription, and compare against alternatives (e.g., existing smart card CMS or YubiKey enterprise programs). (newsroom.hidglobal.com)
- Recovery and resilience: Centralizing passkey management improves visibility but adds platform dependency. Define “break‑glass” admin accounts, lost/stolen key processes, and offline sign‑in contingencies for Windows endpoints. Microsoft still documents unsupported scenarios (e.g., certain RDP/VDI flows without WebAuthn redirection). (learn.microsoft.com)
- Privacy and enterprise attestation: While enterprise attestation aids inventory and compliance, it can introduce tracking concerns if misused. Ensure policies and consent prompts align with CTAP/WebAuthn guidance and local regulations. (techcommunity.microsoft.com)
- Ecosystem readiness: Graph‑based on‑behalf‑of provisioning remains in preview; plan pilots and fallback flows accordingly. (learn.microsoft.com)
What Windows admins should do next
- Map workforce segments to passkey types. Start with high‑risk roles (admins, execs) and decide where device‑bound security keys (e.g., Crescendo Keys/Cards) make sense versus synced passkeys. (helpnetsecurity.com)
- Validate platform prerequisites. Enable FIDO2 sign‑in for Entra ID‑joined and hybrid‑joined Windows 10/11 devices; test with a subset of machines and browsers. (learn.microsoft.com)
- Pilot EPM with Graph preview. Exercise on‑behalf‑of provisioning, minimum PIN policies, and revocation; integrate with change management and ticketing. (learn.microsoft.com)
- Plan lifecycle and recovery. Standardize break‑glass accounts, issuance/reissue SLAs, shipping logistics, and remote PIN reset workflows for Crescendo Keys. (docs.hidglobal.com)
- Unify physical and logical access. If using Seos or DESFire EV3 badges, evaluate FIDO‑enabled variants to consolidate door and desktop credentials. (hidglobal.com)
- Harden policy. Require “AlwaysUV,” enforce minimum PIN length, and enable enterprise attestation only where justified and legally vetted. (fidoalliance.org)
- Measure outcomes. Track sign‑in success rates, helpdesk call reduction, and user experience to quantify benefits and tune adoption. (fidoalliance.org)
Competitive context
Multiple vendors now offer FIDO2 security keys and enterprise tooling, but HID’s angle is breadth: PKI + OATH + FIDO2 in a single key family; smart cards that bridge PACS and passkeys; and a management layer tuned for Microsoft Entra ID deployments. Early industry write‑ups and channel feedback suggest strong interest in this “one‑stop” approach for passwordless at scale. (securitybuyer.com, securityonscreen.com)Bottom line
For Windows organizations accelerating passwordless sign‑in, HID’s next‑generation Crescendo portfolio plus Enterprise Passkey Management directly targets the toughest parts of the journey: issuance, lifecycle, and compliance at scale. With Entra ID compatibility and features shaped by CTAP 2.1/2.2 and WebAuthn, the stack brings phishing‑resistant MFA and passkeys for Windows from theory to day‑to‑day operations—provided teams plan recovery, privacy, and pilot rigorously before broad rollout. (newsroom.hidglobal.com, learn.microsoft.com, fidoalliance.org)Source: ZAWYA HID unveils next-generation FIDO hardware and centralized management at scale
