T-Mobile Deploys 200,000 YubiKeys for Passwordless Authentication Across Workforce

T-Mobile US has completed the deployment of over 200,000 FIDO2 YubiKeys across its workforce, including employees, vendors, and authorized retail partners. The implementation, finished in late 2023, transitions the company from traditional multi-factor authentication methods to passwordless, device-bound passkeys, marking one of the largest enterprise deployments of FIDO2 authentication technology to date.

The initiative eliminates the need for passwords and one-time passwords (OTPs), replacing them with hardware-based security keys that provide phishing-resistant authentication. The device-bound passkeys ensure authentication is tied to specific devices, enhancing security against unauthorized access. This approach builds on the FIDO Alliance’s enterprise standards for secure authentication, which have been gaining widespread adoption across industries.

“T-Mobile took a critical step forward to further reduce credential phishing by deploying the stronger, device-bound passkey solution that Yubico offers,” said T-Mobile Chief Security Officer Jeff Simon. “Once we had our YubiKeys in hand, we were able to get them up and running across the company in less than three months.”

The deployment comes amid rising cybersecurity challenges, with cyberattacks that have resulted in billions of dollars in annual losses for businesses. The move follows similar initiatives by other federal agencies, including the USDA’s recent adoption of FIDO authentication to combat phishing threats.

The YubiKeys support multiple authentication protocols, including FIDO2/WebAuthn, U2F, and Smart Card (PIV), and are compatible with hundreds of applications and services across various operating systems and mobile devices.

Yubico, which has been developing enterprise hardware-based security keys since 2007, provides these solutions to enable passwordless authentication for enterprises of any size. The keys are designed to work seamlessly across different platforms while maintaining high security standards, aligning with the industry’s broader shift toward passwordless authentication methods and enhanced security protocols.

Sources: Yubico, MarketScreener, The Fast Mode

–

January 22, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team