A tiny NFC key is all it takes to log into the new Microsoft Surface Pro 10

Microsoft released Surface Pro 10 and Laptop 6 as high performance business devices. Many have missed a smart feature of Surface Pro 10 which is the NFC connectivity, but not Yubico, a manufacturer specialized in security keys for business devices.

The Redmond giant helped Yubico to implement all the Microsoft login business accounts into the key. This includes Entra ID or Microsoft 365 accounts, Windows 11, Active Directory Certificate Services (ADCS), and other applications for enterprises.

How does the Yubico NFC key work on Surface Pro 10?

Microsoft Surface 10 has the NFC sensor embedded in the bezel of the screen on the upper-left corner. So, all you need to do to log in is to bring the key to that point, which is indicated on the screen.

In the Yubico press release, Microsoft emphasizes the need for security measures to prevent cyberattacks:

Our enterprise customers rely on Surface for industry leading security and seamless user experiences. The ability to quickly and securely sign-in to the device and authenticate with NFC security keys is a critical experience that we’ve added to Surface Pro 10. YubiKeys take full advantage of the integrated NFC reader and delivers a huge win on both fronts. We are excited to work with Yubico to enable the use of YubiKeys, providing users with secure and innovative authentication options to protect against the increasing threat and volume of identity-based cyber attacks. 

Nancie Gaskill, General Manager at Microsoft

For those of you who don’t know, NFC or Near Field Communication is a short-distance communication technology similar to Bluetooth that can be used to transfer small amounts of data, and it is ideal for applications like these.

The NFC key is already on the market, it’s called YubiKey 5C NFC and you can buy it straight from the manufacturer. According to Windows Central, the gadget is $55 a piece, but you can perhaps negotiate an enterprise deal for bulk orders.

YubiKey 5C also has a USB-C connector, not only the NFC sensor so you can also plug it straight into the device’s port for the same effect.

Would you buy the new YubiKey for Surface Pro 10? Tell us all about that in the comments section below.