Passwordless Authentication for CloudConnexa: A Safer, Simpler Way to Prove Identity

For decades, passwords have been the front door to enterprise systems — and the easiest way in for attackers.

Phishing campaigns, credential stuffing, brute-force attacks, and password reuse continue to drive the majority of successful breaches. Even with added layers like traditional multi-factor authentication (MFA), many organizations are discovering that legacy, password-centric models simply can’t keep pace with today’s threat landscape.

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That’s why the security industry is moving toward passwordless authentication — specifically FIDO2/WebAuthn passkeys — as a more secure, phishing-resistant way to verify identity. This shift sits at the core of modern Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) strategies and is now reflected in guidance from organizations like CISA and NIST.

Today, we’re excited to announce that CloudConnexa now supports passwordless authentication using passkeys, making it faster and more secure for users to connect to their CloudConnexa without managing passwords.

With passkeys, users can authenticate using the security already built into their device — such as a fingerprint scan, face recognition, or device PIN — instead of typing passwords each time they connect. This delivers a smoother, more intuitive login experience for the actions users perform most often, while also helping organizations move away from password-based risk across their Zero Trust environment.

Here’s an overview of the feature to get you started:

Why passwords — and even legacy MFA — are no longer enough

Passwords are a shared secret. And shared secrets are inherently vulnerable.

No matter how complex a password policy is, passwords can still be:

• Phished through convincing social engineering.
• Reused across services and exposed in third-party breaches.
• Targeted with credential stuffing and brute-force attacks.
• Logged, intercepted, or leaked from compromised systems.

Traditional MFA improves security, but it doesn’t fully solve the problem. If authentication still begins with a password, attackers can often bypass MFA using phishing kits, MFA fatigue tactics, or compromised credentials tied to external identity providers.

This reality is why CISA places Identity as the first pillar of Zero Trust, above devices, networks, applications, and data. To reach CISA’s “advanced” ZTNA maturity level and align with guidance such as NIST SP 800-63B, organizations are strongly encouraged to move beyond passwords altogether.

What are passkeys — and why are they phishing-resistant?

Passkeys are a FIDO-compliant, passwordless authentication method built on the W3C WebAuthn standard. Instead of relying on something a user knows (a password), passkeys use cryptographic proof of identity.

Here’s how passkey authentication works:

• A private key is generated and securely stored on the user’s device, such as a laptop, smartphone, hardware security key, or trusted password manager.
• A public key is stored by OpenVPN.
• When a user attempts to log in, OpenVPN sends a unique cryptographic challenge.
• The user verifies their identity using built-in device authentication — such as a fingerprint scan, face recognition, or device PIN.
• The user’s device signs the challenge with the private key.
• OpenVPN verifies the signature using the stored public key and grants access.

The private key never leaves the user’s device and is never shared. There is no password to steal, reuse, or phish.

The result is authentication that is cryptographically strong, device-bound, and phishing-resistant by design.

Passwordless authentication in CloudConnexa

With this release, CloudConnexa natively supports passkeys, allowing users to adopt modern passwordless authentication for a more secure and seamless way to authenticate — especially when connecting to their cloud VPN.

Once enrolled, users can:

• Log in to the CloudConnexa Portal quickly using familiar, built-in device authentication they already trust.
• Connect to their Wide-area Private Cloud (WPC) network using biometrics or a device PIN instead of typing a password.
• Avoid password resets, lockouts, and repeated credential prompts. 

For users, this means VPN access feels less like a security chore and more like a natural extension of their device — a quick fingerprint scan or face check instead of yet another password to remember.

Behind the scenes, passkeys also strengthen security by using phishing-resistant, public-key cryptography rather than shared secrets. But from the user’s perspective, the biggest change is simplicity: fewer interruptions, fewer failures, and faster access to the resources they need.

This capability is built directly into CloudConnexa — no external identity provider is required to achieve passkey-based passwordless authentication.

Important note: Passkey enrollment is user-initiated. Each user enables passwordless authentication from their CloudConnexa Portal account, making adoption simple and friction-free.

Why this matters for Zero Trust and compliance

Passwordless authentication strengthens CloudConnexa’s Zero Trust posture in several critical ways:

• Eliminates credential-based attacks such as phishing, credential stuffing, and brute-force attempts.
• Reduces reliance on shared secrets, a core Zero Trust principle.
• Aligns with modern security standards, including CISA ZTNA guidance and NIST SP 800-63B.
• Supports regulatory compliance efforts tied to data protection frameworks like GDPR and HIPAA.

Beyond security, removing passwords also reduces operational friction. Users no longer need to remember, rotate, or reset complex passwords — leading to fewer help-desk tickets, less password fatigue, and a smoother login experience.

How CloudConnexa stands apart

Many vendors claim to offer “passwordless” access — but the reality often falls short.

Some solutions rely entirely on third-party identity providers. In these cases, biometrics may only unlock the local app, while actual network authentication still depends on conventional, phishable credentials managed elsewhere. Security, uptime, and user experience are closely tied to external systems, increasing dependency on their availability and configuration.

CloudConnexa takes a different approach.

By delivering native, fully integrated passkey support, CloudConnexa offers:

• True passwordless authentication without requiring an external identity provider.
• Phishing-resistant identity verification built directly into the VPN access layer.
• A mature, production-ready solution — not a beta or partial implementation.

This approach provides a meaningful advantage over legacy business VPNs that remain locked into static, password-centric models.

Get started with passwordless authentication in CloudConnexa

Passwordless authentication is available now in CloudConnexa — and once enabled, VPN access becomes as simple as unlocking your device.

Users can authenticate with biometrics or a device PIN instead of managing passwords, making everyday VPN connections faster, smoother, and far less error-prone.

Enrolling in passwordless authentication is straightforward:

1. Log in to your CloudConnexa Admin or User Portal.
2. Navigate to My Account > Security & Privacy.
3. Go to the Passwordless Authentication section.
4. Click Add a Passkey.
5. Re-enter your password and follow the prompts to register your preferred authenticator.
6. Once complete, your passkey will be securely stored and ready for future logins — no password required.

Start strengthening your Zero Trust posture today by enabling passwordless authentication in your CloudConnexa account. Secure remote access is not only easier, but more secure.

Want to learn more? Explore our documentation on how to enroll and use passkeys with CloudConnexa, including supported authenticators and best practices for passwordless access.