Introduction to FIDO

Within the world of privacy and authentication, the FIDO Alliance is doing important work, yet is not well known outside of privacy professionals. 

FIDO’s Mission

Fido’s mission is to reduce the overuse and over-reliance on passwords in user authentication by replacing them with faster and more secure authentication methods for websites and apps. 

Fido works toward this mission in several ways. 

  • Develops open and scalable technical specifications through its membership to reduce the reliance on passwords to authenticate users

  • Operates industry certification programs, such as FIDO2, to promote adoption of the specifications

  • Submits technical specifications to recognized standards development organizations for approval and standardization 

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The Alliance consists of companies in many industries, standards organizations, and governments. Examples of the Alliance’s more than 250 members include Google, Amazon, VISA, Samsung, Alibaba Group, Netflix, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the U.S. Department of Commerce.  

FIDO2 Certification Explained

A company can earn the FIDO2 certification by showing that its user authentication methods meets the specifications of the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Authentication (WebAuthn) specification and FIDO Alliance’s associated Client-to-Authenticator Protocol (CTAP). FIDO2 enables users to easily authenticate themselves for online services on mobile and desktop devices. Authentication methods include security keys, voice, facial recognition, and fingerprint.

Tess Ventures and FIDO2

We like companies who are FIDO2 certified because they are on the cutting edge of privacy and authentication. Moreover, because privacy is a growing issue in general, FIDO2’s applicability to many different markets – enterprise, online commerce, financial services, health care, government, and more – gives consumers confidence in a company’s privacy scheme. 

FIDO2 has many benefits that help certified companies stand out.

  • More secure authentication and login

  • Greater privacy protection and control for users

  • Easier to comply with privacy regulations such as GDPR

  • More convenient for users because they don’t have to remember passwords

  • Lower costs to companies of data breaches, privacy violations, and customer support

  • Scalable solution for companies because FIDO2 can be easily implemented across devices and for a large number of users

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When we consider which companies to work or partner with, or invest in, FIDO2 is one important factor that tells us the company understands the value of privacy and authentication.

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