What MFA Means: Discover the Security Benefits to Multi-Factor Authentication
Cisco Duo is a leading provider of multi-factor authentication (MFA) for the global workforce – but what does MFA mean exactly?
MFA is a security solution that goes beyond the use of passwords to verify a user's identity. Implementing MFA means adding an extra layer of protection at login with a combination of two or more authentication factors. MFA effectively helps prevent password-related threats, including malware, phishing, and ransomware attacks.
Adopting MFA means also adopting the cybersecurity strategy framework of zero trust. This strategy assumes that nothing can be inherently trusted without thorough verification, adhering to the mantra of "never trust, always verify." MFA helps build a zero trust framework by adding these additional verification measures at login to make sure users and their devices are trusted.
Many organizations start their zero trust journey by seeking a two-factor authentication (2FA), without realizing that they could boost their access security even further with multiple factors. MFA differs from its two-dimensional counterpart, 2FA, which only involves adding two verification methods. However, their intent is the same: to provide secure access to accounts and applications by verifying that users are who they say they are.
Why is MFA needed?
While there are many reasons to secure any online data, risks associated with compromised login credentials rank as the highest. Traditional passwords are no longer safe and even second factor SMS tokens can become compromised and risk exposure. A recent study found 76% of organizations experienced multiple account or credential compromises over the past year.
With attacks becoming more intricate and complex, the best solution is a comprehensive security measure that can adapt to an organization and its user’s needs. With so many companies opening up to remote and hybrid work, new risks rise against users and organizations.
For example, consider a scenario where an employee's credentials are phished due to a compromised home network. Without MFA, these stolen credentials could give attackers unrestricted access to the organization's systems. However, with MFA in place, even if credentials are compromised, the additional authentication factors provide a robust barrier, preventing unauthorized access and significantly reducing the risk of a security breach.
Home networks, smartphones, and personal computers often don’t have the protection company-owned machines do. But with MFA, there’s no need to worry. MFA mitigates the risk of unauthorized access to any application, for any user and device, from anywhere. Duo’s MFA means resting easy knowing your company is well-secured and protected from credential-related cyber threats.
How does MFA work?
When a homeowner locks their front door with a key, they’re adding one layer of protection to their home security. Similarly, our application passwords work as layer one in data access security. You need your key to get into your home just as you’d need your password to login. But like keys, passwords can be stolen and replicated.
When that same homeowner installs a deadbolt lock, they’re doing the same thing 2FA does for access security: adding a second layer of protection. This makes it harder for a thief or attacker to gain access, which may stop some of them, but not all.
The safest and most secure homes, however, might also have a key code lock on their door, or a guard dog, or a security alarm system, or motion-activated cameras. These additional third, fourth, fifth (and beyond) layers of security are like MFA in that they build off those first two layers to provide in-depth, multi-faceted security.
What are the best MFA methods?
The best MFA method is one that's user-centered and multi-layered. Every organization has unique security needs, but one thing is certain: the more authentication, the better.
These authentication methods fall into two or more of the following categories:
Something the user knows (e.g., a password)
Something the user has (e.g., a smartphone or tablet)
Something the user is (e.g., biometrics like facial recognition)
Somewhere the user is (e.g., an IP address)
Like a house with diverse types of security, MFA means your data or applications are guarded by a robust solution that will not allow anyone but the verified user to gain access.
What is an example of MFA?
Let’s look at what three layers of MFA security in action might look like.
Login credentials: The first layer of login security is standard—a password and username (something they know) that allow the user access to applications, accounts, and resources.
Smartphone verification: After a successful login, Duo Mobile sends the user a push notification to their smartphone (something they have) alerting them of the login with information on the location and type of device used. Our user needs to approve the login request with their mobile app.
Biometrics, passcodes, or tokens: This is where authentication ramps up! For added security, the mobile app asks the user to provide biometric data such as fingerprints or facial recognition (something the user is). Duo Mobile also supports verification steps through time-based one-time passcodes or hardware security tokens (something the user has). If the user fails any of these steps, the system will automatically deny access, or adjust security requirements
MFA creates a robust and layered approach to verifying identities. Even if the user’s password is stolen, the attacker cannot gain access to any applications. Moreover, adding push notifications incorporates a real-time confirmation step making the entire process safe and user friendly.
What are the top benefits of MFA?
There are numerous benefits to deploying MFA or upgrading your 2FA solution. These benefits include:
Block unauthorized access. More layers of security mean you’re better protected from potential hackers.
Protect against phishing. Not only is there an extra layer of defense to stop attackers, but it also lowers your risk of phishing, malware, and ransomware attacks.
Meet regulatory requirements. MFA is required by many cybersecurity insurance providers and various compliance standards and regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
Frustrate attackers, not users. With multiple MFA methods to choose from, authentication doesn’t have to be an annoyance for users. Duo is the easiest MFA solution for both users and administrators.
Deploy with speed and ease. Duo is known for making MFA accessible to organizations of many sizes. Our MFA solution can be deployed seamlessly into any existing environment or platform and scales easily as your company grows.
Discover MFA with Cisco Duo
Duo Security is a secure access provider that offers both authentication methods (MFA and 2FA) with autonomous and flexible integration options. Our scalable software and network technology is user-focused, meaning that a workforce protected by Duo MFA or 2FA is given the opportunity to choose how many and which additional factor tools work best for them.
What is MFA? Educating Users About the Authentication Product. We invite you to explore “What is MFA” and our MFA Product Page to discover why you should invest in additional verification factors, how MFA works, what MFA methods you can choose from to help make your workforce safer than ever before.