Passwordless Desktop Authentication

Replace Desktop Passwords with Certificate-Based Login

EAP-TLS validates both user and device at authentication, using your IdP, MDM, or hardware tokens. No domain controllers, cached passwords, or scripts to manage.

Learn About Passwordless Desktop LogonExplore JoinNow Platform
Why Passwords Break Desktop Security

Passwords Are Still the Weak Point on Desktops

Complex password policies. Forgotten credentials. Local admin privileges. Shared workstation accounts. Your users hate logging in.

 

The desktop authentication challenges draining your help desk:

CRISIS

Password complexity requirements creating user rebellion

16+ character passwords with special characters are making users write them down or use simple patterns that defeat the purpose.

HIGH

Account lockouts from saved credentials in legacy apps

Outlook and other apps with saved passwords keep trying old credentials, causing repeated lockouts that impact productivity.

MEDIUM

Local admin privileges granted to avoid password issues

Users get admin rights to bypass UAC prompts and install software, creating massive security holes in the process.

ONGOING

Shared workstation accounts to bypass authentication

Kiosk stations and temporary workstations use generic accounts with simple passwords that never expire or rotate.

Certificate-based login eliminates passwords

The Solution is Identity-First Authentication

Instead of patching password problems, eliminate them entirely with certificate-based desktop logon that validates both user and device.

FROM PASSWORDS TO CERTIFICATES

Passwordless Desktop Logon Backed by Real Identity

SecureW2 issues certificates tied to both the person and the endpoint. When a user logs in, the certificate proves who they are and whether the device is trusted — no password required.

Issue Certificate
  • Dynamic SCEP
  • ACME Device Attestation
  • Integration with IdPs (Okta, Entra ID, OneLogin)
Grant Desktop Access
  • Certificate-to-User Binding
  • Passwordless Desktop Logon
  • Policy-Based Access Enforcement
Eliminates Resets

Password resets disappear because there are no passwords to forget. IT stops fielding the most common help desk ticket.

Identity + Device Bound Together

Each login validates both user and endpoint with certificates. No shared accounts and no cached credentials.

Audit Visibility

Every authentication is logged with identity, device, and policy context. Compliance and incident response teams get complete visibility.

Beyond Just Removing Passwords

Certificate-based authentication doesn't just eliminate passwords—it strengthens your entire desktop security posture with policy enforcement and compliance visibility.

WHAT YOU GAIN WITH PASSWORDLESS LOGON

More Security, Less IT Overhead

Certificates remove passwords while adding stronger, adaptive enforcement.

Stronger Authentication

EAP-TLS verifies every login against your IdP and MDM.

Hardware Token Support

YubiKeys and smart cards deliver high-assurance login for sensitive desktops.

Policy Enforcement

Adaptive access based on device posture and real-time IdP signals.

Compliance Ready

Centralized logs prove who accessed what system, when, and from which device.

Ready to See How This Works?

Get a personalized demo of how continuous trust verification works with your organization's environment and requirements.

​
Custom DemoTailored to your environment
​
Quick SetupEasy scheduling process
​ Personalized Demo
Schedule Personalized Demo
See the solution in action with your environment and implementation approach
Schedule Demo

See It in Action

Here's how certificate-based desktop authentication transforms common workplace scenarios without requiring domain controllers or complex infrastructure changes.

Certificate-Based Desktop Authentication

Desktop Authentication Without Domain Controllers

Certificate-based login that works offline, validates device posture, and syncs with your cloud IdP. No more local passwords.

Block Non-Compliant Devices
Instant Desktop Lockout
Cross-Platform Auth
Yubikey & Smart Card Auth

Block Untrusted Devices Before Login

Device not encrypted? EDR not running? No certificate = no login. SecureW2 enforces certificate issuance based on posture—before Windows/macOS login, not after.

Compliance Integrations

IAM
MDM
EDR/XDR

Technical Details

​
Certificate Storage: TPM/Keychain/PKCS#11Hardware-backed
certificate security
​
Login Time: Certificate validation adds no noticeable delayPosture
checks via MDM or EDR before certificate issuance
​
Offline Grace Period: 7 days cachedWorks without network
connectivity
Schedule DemoExplore JoinNow Platform
Block Non-Compliant Devices

Entra ID Termination = Instant Desktop Lockout

User disabled in cloud? Certificate revoked instantly; enforcement timing depends on login flow and OS policy. No cached credentials, no grace period, no orphaned local accounts.

Identity Sources

Azure AD
Okta
Google
Shibboleth
OneLogin

Performance Metrics

​
Certificate revoked instantly; enforcement timing depends on login flow and OS
policySubject to OS login enforcement settings
​
Supports EAP-TLS for certificate-based login enforcementCompatible
with Windows Hello for Business cert flows
​
Multi-IdP Support: Azure AD, Okta, Google, Shibboleth, OneLoginUniversal identity integration
Schedule DemoExplore JoinNow Platform
Instant Desktop Lockout

Mac and Linux Without Active Directory

Universal certificates work across Windows, macOS, and Linux. No domain join required. Perfect for remote workers and cloud-first companies.

Platform Support

Windows
macOS
Ubuntu
Linux

Platform Specifications

​
Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, LinuxUniversal
certificate compatibility
​
No requirements: Domain controller, VPN to DCPerfect for
cloud-first environments
​
Unified management: Centralized policies and trustDelivery tailored
per OS, no custom scripting required
Schedule DemoExplore JoinNow Platform
Cross-Platform Auth

Cert-Based Login with YubiKeys, Smart Cards, and Hardware Tokens

Enforce certificate-based desktop login using YubiKeys, smart cards, and PIV-compatible tokens—no passwords, no token imaging, no manual overhead.

Platform Integrations

Windows Logon
macOS
YubiKey Manager
PIV-Compatible Tokens
Smart Card Middleware

Dynamic Certificate Management

​
PIN/PUK Support – Native integration for secure unlock/recoveryHardware token security with policy-based management
​
Automated Enrollment – Token issued cert based on policyZero-touch
certificate provisioning
​
Slot Management – Certificates assigned and rotated dynamicallyIntelligent hardware slot allocation
Schedule DemoExplore JoinNow Platform
Yubikey & Smart Card Auth

See How This Works in Your Environment

Get a personalized demo tailored to your specific infrastructure and security requirements.

Schedule DemoExplore Platform

Works With Your Existing Stack

No rip-and-replace required. SecureW2 integrates seamlessly with your current identity providers, device management tools, and security infrastructure.

Designed for Real-Time, Context-Aware Enforcement

Works Seamlessly With the Security Stack You Already Use

SecureW2 ingests real-time signals from your existing tools such as SIEMs, EDRs, firewalls, and identity providers using native integrations, webhooks, and eventhooks. These insights feed our policy engine to deliver precise, context-rich access decisions when and where they matter most.

SecureW2 Logo
SecureW2
Certificate Authority at the Center of Your Security Ecosystem
200+ Integrations
Identity & Access Icon
Identity & Access Policy Enablement & SSO
Okta Logo
Entra ID Logo
Ping Identity Logo
OneLogin Logo
Google Logo
Shibboleth Logo
+ Many More
Device Management Icon
Device Management MDM/EMM & Cert Gateway
Jamf Logo
Microsoft Intune Logo
Workspace ONE Logo
MobileIron Logo
Kandji Logo
Mosyle Logo
+ Many More
Network Security Icon
Network Security SASE & ZTNA
Palo Alto Networks Logo
Cisco Logo
Fortinet Logo
Check Point Logo
Zscaler Logo
Sophos Logo
+ Many More
Wireless Security Icon
Wireless Security 802.1X Wi-Fi Enterprise
Cisco Meraki Logo
Ubiquiti Networks Logo
Fortinet Logo
HPE Aruba Logo
CommScope Logo
Mist Logo
+ Many More
Threat Intelligence Icon
Threat Intelligence EDR/XDR & SIEM Platforms
CrowdStrike Logo
Palo Alto Networks Logo
Microsoft Defender Logo
Splunk Logo
Datadog Logo
Elastic Security Logo
+ Many More
View Integration Hub
Certificates For Any Access Surface

If It's Accessible, It's Securable

Discover how our comprehensive identity and access management solutions can secure your organization across different use cases and environments.

/ NETWORK AUTH
/ SSO & WEB APPS
/ ZTNA/VPN
/ DESKTOP LOGIN
/ GUEST WI-FI
/ NON-HUMAN IDENTITIES
SecureW2 / NETWORK AUTH

Modernize Auth for Wired and Wireless Networks

Fast, reliable 802.1X and Cloud RADIUS authentication for Wi-Fi and wired access—powered by real-time policy evaluation and passwordless certificate-based access that adapts to identity, posture and risk.

INTEGRATIONS
View All
Explore NETWORK AUTH Get a Demo
SecureW2 / SSO & WEB APPS

Device Trust for SSO and Applications

Dynamically issue x.509 certificates through policies that authorize scoped access based on role, risk and device context. Enforce least-privilege access to SaaS and internal apps from trusted devices only.

INTEGRATIONS
View All
Explore SSO & WEB APPS Get a Demo
SecureW2 / ZTNA/VPN

Enforce Least-Privilege Access for Remote Workers

Enable secure distributed access with certificate-based ZTNA and VPN integrations. Dynamic policy decisions authorize access based on real-time signals from your existing security stack.

INTEGRATIONS
View All
Explore ZTNA/VPN Get a Demo
SecureW2 / DESKTOP LOGIN

Passwordless Desktop Authentication

Enforce certificate-backed login with YubiKeys, smart cards and other hardware tokens. Dynamic certificate management supports PIN and PUK functionality and automates enrollment, renewal and slot assignment.

INTEGRATIONS
View All
Explore DESKTOP LOGIN Get a Demo
SecureW2 / GUEST WI-FI

Deliver Guest Wi-Fi with Role Limits and Expiration

Provision guest access with minute-level control. Supported methods include sponsor approval and self-registration through Captive Portal, plus directory integration with LDAP, Google, PowerSchool and SAML.

INTEGRATIONS
View All
Explore GUEST WI-FI Get a Demo
SecureW2 / NON-HUMAN IDENTITIES

Scoped Access for Autonomous Workloads

Issue certificates specifically provisioned for pipelines, containers, scripts and AI agents. Scope access dynamically with ACME and policy tuned for systems that operate on their own. No shared keys or secrets.

INTEGRATIONS
View All
Explore NON-HUMAN IDENTITIES Get a Demo

Frequently Asked Questions

How does certificate-based desktop login work?

Users receive certificates tied to their identity and device compliance status. These certificates automatically authenticate them to desktop systems without requiring passwords, while providing detailed audit trails.

What happens if a certificate expires or is revoked?

Certificate lifecycle is managed automatically based on user status and device compliance. If a certificate expires or is revoked, the user loses desktop access until compliance is restored or a new certificate is issued.

Can this replace Active Directory authentication?

SecureW2 works with your existing Active Directory or cloud identity provider to enhance authentication with certificates. It doesn't replace your directory but makes authentication more secure and user-friendly.

What operating systems support certificate-based desktop login?

Our solution supports Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop authentication with unified certificate management across all platforms.

READY FOR ANY ENVIRONMENT

Passwordless Logon That Scales

From a single shared workstation to thousands of endpoints, certificate-backed login delivers secure access, policy enforcement, and audit-ready records without user friction.

Schedule DemoGet Pricing
Explore Use Cases