How Many Years can a YubiKey be used?
- Matsuda
- Oct 28, 2024
- 4 min read
Customers sometimes ask, "How many years can a YubiKey be used?"
They say that physical objects eventually break, and when considering purchasing a YubiKey, some people may be wondering how long the physical authentication device, YubiKey, will last.
This time, we'll discuss the durability and service life of the YubiKey.
The YubiKey is a physical security device that supports various authentication protocols and is primarily used to strengthen two-factor authentication.
Since it is generally expected that users will carry it around with them, wear and durability are important factors depending on how it is handled.
YubiKey Durability
Basic information about YubiKey: All YubiKey series are IP68 certified.
"IPxx" is a standard established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to indicate the waterproof and dustproof performance of electrical devices.
The first number indicates the dustproofness rating, meaning that solid objects (such as fingers, tools, or dust) cannot penetrate the device; "6" is the highest rating.
The second number indicates the level of water resistance, with "8" indicating that the device can be continuously submerged in water without any damage.
Also, the YubiKey's operating and storage temperatures are as follows:
Operating temperature: 0 ℃ ～ 40 ℃ (32 ℉ ～ 104 ℉)
Storage temperature: -20 ℃ ～ 85℃ (-4 ℉ ～ 185 ℉)
YubiKey can be used in dusty or sandy places, such as outdoors or in factories, and can also be used daily without worrying about getting wet or submerged in water.
For reference, one of our employees accidentally washed his YubiKey after leaving it in his pocket, but it continued to function without any issues afterward.
YubiKey Lifespan
Yubico, the company that manufactures and sells YubiKey, does not publicly disclose precise information regarding its lifespan.
Therefore, there is no official guarantee stating how many years it can be used.
Among YubiKey’s functions, Yubico OTP has a maximum internal counter value. Based on usage of five times per day, it is estimated to take approximately 18 years to reach that maximum value.
However, this estimate only applies to the software aspect of the Yubico OTP function. Even if Yubico OTP becomes unusable, data can still be rewritten, and other functions (such as FIDO or PIV) remain usable. So this does not define the actual lifespan of the device.
The actual lifespan can vary depending on usage, making it difficult to specify. But for reference, here is an example from the author’s experience.
Real-World Usage Example
At our company, YubiKeys are used for logging into company PCs and various services.
The author received their first YubiKey around 2011.
This YubiKey is version 2.1.3, which is quite old and likely no longer in use by most people. (As of October 2024, the latest version is 5.7.x.)
It has been in use for over 10 years, with frequent usage, and so far, it continues to work without any issues.
Although I no longer carry it this way, I initially kept my YubiKey attached to my keychain along with my house keys for everyday use. While it has accumulated some dirt, there are no major scratches, which suggests that it can withstand reasonably rough handling without any issues.
Moreover, not only I but also other employees at our company have been using YubiKeys. While there have been cases of loss, there have been no reported cases of device failure so far, and they continue to function without problems.
YubiKey Reliability
YubiKeys are made from high-strength materials, and their internal structure is sealed, making them highly resistant to shock and pressure.
Physical damage is very unlikely, even if the device is dropped or accidentally stepped on.
Yubico, the manufacturer, frequently emphasizes the durability and robustness of YubiKey devices.
In fact, since our company began handling YubiKeys, we have sold over 100,000 units in total. However, actual device failures are extremely rare.
That said, it's not that there have been no failure cases at all.
One confirmed case of failure involved a YubiKey breaking at the base after receiving a strong impact while still connected to a USB port.
Even though the device is highly durable, applying excessive force can still potentially cause damage.
For models like the YubiKey 5 NFC, the device protrudes from the PC when connected to a USB port. This can result in lever-like force being applied to the connector, increasing the risk of damage.
Therefore, when carrying around a laptop, please be careful not to forget to remove the YubiKey.
The device is strong enough that it won’t bend or break from normal finger pressure, so it can be used safely in everyday life without concern.
Summary
・YubiKey is IP68 certified, offering dust and water resistance.
・While no official lifespan is stated, there are examples of devices being used for over 10 years.
・YubiKey has a highly durable structure, and failures are extremely rare.
・However, applying extreme force can cause damage, so caution is advised.
Although we cannot say the device will never fail, it is a product that can be used for a very long time, so even those concerned about reliability can use it with confidence.
For purchasing YubiKey, please visit the following EC sites or contact us via the inquiry form:
Thank you for reading to the end.
