Launching The 4th Generation YubiKey

Today is historic as we launch our 4th generation YubiKey. It is built on high-performance, secure elements, and enables stronger and faster crypto operations. We are also expanding beyond our authentication heritage to code signing: Our new touch-to-sign feature was brought to life with our friends at Docker.

For every generation of YubiKeys, we have added new YubiKey versions with select feature sets. With YubiKey 4 and YubiKey 4 Nano, we are reversing that trend with fewer products, more features, and simplified choices for customers that bring better value.

We are also evolving in other ways. We are complementing our authentication pedigree by improving and adding  specific security features: OpenPGP encryption can now be performed with 4096-bit RSA crypto keys, we have added a PKCS#11 library to support PIV functionality, and, together with Docker, we are introducing container code signing with touch-to-sign and user verification.

Our new YubiKeys are the market’s Swiss Army knife for authentication and encryption. For large volume needs, we will enable customers to order exactly the functions they want. And our unique programming tools allows organizations to program and control their own cryptographic secrets. This security approach is something we are convinced will soon define the market.

The small YubiKey 4 Nano is priced at $50, and the YubiKey 4, the larger keychain version, is $40. Neither includes support for Near Field Communications (NFC), which is now just found in the YubiKey NEO. For those who don’t need NFC, the YubiKey 4 offers faster and stronger crypto at a lower price.

We will introduce a new retail web sales lineup and continue to serve enterprise customers with existing commitments to our former YubiKey products.

Strong authentication is an important part of the identity stack and we are quickly growing market share there. The YubiKey, however, also includes vital encryption functions highlighted by code signing. Both these areas is where we have innovated with YubiKey 4 to provide best-practice security and the simplest user experience. This is truly the start of a new generation.

Talk to our teamTalk to our team

Share this article:


  • We’re excited for what’s to come – meet us in-person to find out whyIt’s been a busy year for our team, filled with exciting company and product updates aimed at better serving our customers and helping them achieve cyber resilience as AI-driven phishing threats continue evolving globally. Between industry award recognitions and key new executive leadership hires to lead Yubico to its next stage of growth and a […]Read more
  • FIPS certified vs. FIPS compliant: What’s the real difference?“Is your MFA solution FIPS compliant, or is it certified?”  This is a question we hear a lot, and for good reason. In industries where security and compliance are critical (especially in government contracts), understanding the difference between FIPS certified and FIPS compliant isn’t just semantics – it can mean the difference between meeting requirements […]Read moreFIPSNIST
  • 2025 Global State of Authentication survey: A world of difference in cybersecurity habitsIn a world that’s more connected than ever, the landscape of cybersecurity threats is constantly evolving. Bad actors, now supercharged with artificial intelligence (AI), are becoming increasingly adept at exploiting human error through sophisticated phishing and social engineering attacks. This makes robust cybersecurity a universal issue, impacting everyone from individuals to the largest global enterprises. […]Read moreGlobal State of Authenticationsurvey
  • Yubico LogoYubico liefert PIN-Verbesserungen mit dem neuen YubiKey 5 – Verbesserte PIN-SchlüsselTo prepare for continuously evolving cyber threats, governments around the world are adapting and updating authentication requirements for online services which directly impact thousands of organizations and their employees. While there’s currently no universal regulation for more robust multi-factor authentication (MFA), the need is highlighted across a range of requirements including PSD2, GDPR, and the […]Read moreYubiKey