What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?
Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) is an authentication method that requiresthe user to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to aresource such as an application, online account, or a VPN. MFA is a corecomponent of a strong identityand access management (IAM) policy. Rather than just asking for ausername and password, MFA requires one or more additional verificationfactors, which decreases the likelihood of a successful cyber attack.
Why is MFA Important?
The main benefit of MFA is it will enhance your organization's security byrequiring your users to identify themselves by more than a username andpassword. While important, usernames and passwords are vulnerable to bruteforce attacks and can be stolen by third parties. Enforcing the use of anMFA factor like a thumbprint or physical hardware key means increasedconfidence that your organization will stay safe from cyber criminals.
How Does MFA work?
MFA works by requiring additional verification information (factors). One ofthe most common MFA factors that users encounter are one-timepasswords (OTP). OTPs are those 4-8 digit codes that you often receivevia email, SMS or some sort of mobile app. With OTPs a new code is generatedperiodically or each time an authentication request is submitted. The code isgenerated based upon a seed value that is assigned to the user when they firstregister and some other factor which could simply be a counter that isincremented or a time value.
Three Main Types of MFA Authentication Methods
Most MFA authentication methodology is based on one of three types ofadditional information:
- Things you know (knowledge), such as a passwordor PIN
- Things you have (possession), such as a badge orsmartphone
- Things you are (inherence), such as a biometriclike fingerprints or voice recognition
MFA Examples
Examples of Multi-Factor Authentication include using a combination of these elements to authenticate:
Knowledge
- Answers to personal security questions
- Password
- OTPs (Can be both Knowledge and Possession - You know the OTP and you have to have something in your Possession to get it like your phone)
Possession
- OTPs generated by smartphone apps
- OTPs sent via text or email
- Access badges, USB devices, Smart Cards or fobs or security keys
- Software tokens and certificates
Inherence
- Fingerprints, facial recognition, voice, retina or iris scanning or other Biometrics
- Behavioral analysis
Other Types of Multi-Factor Authentication
As MFA integrates machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), authentication methods become more sophisticated, including:
Location-based
Location-based MFA usually looks at a user’s IP address and, if possible, their geo location. This information can be used to simply block a user’s access if their location information does not match what is specified on a whitelist or it might be used as an additional form of authentication in addition to other factors such as a password or OTP to confirm that user’s identity.
Adaptive Authentication or Risk-based Authentication
Another subset of MFA is Adaptive Authentication also referred to as Risk-based Authentication. Adaptive Authentication analyzes additional factors by considering context and behavior when authenticating and often uses these values to assign a level of risk associated with the login attempt. For example:
- From where is the user when trying to access information?
- When you are trying to access company information? During your normal hours or during "off hours"?
- What kind of device is used? Is it the same one used yesterday?
- Is the connection via private network or a public network?
The risk level is calculated based upon how these questions are answered and can be used to determine whether or not a user will be prompted for an additional authentication factor or whether or not they will even be allowed to log in. Thus another term used to describe this type of authentication is risk-based authentication.
With Adaptive Authentication in place, a user logging in from a cafe late at night, an activity they do not normally do, might be required to enter a code texted to the user’s phone in addition to providing their username and password. Whereas, when they log in from the office every day at 9 am they are simply prompted to provide their username and password.
Cyber criminals spend their lives trying to steal your information and an effective and enforced MFA strategy is your first line of defense against them. An effective data security plan will save your organization time and money in the future.
What's the Difference between MFA and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?
MFA is often used interchangeably with two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA is basically a subset of MFA since 2FA restricts the number of factors that are required to only two factors, while MFA can be two or more.
What is MFA in Cloud Computing
With the advent of Cloud Computing, MFA has become even more necessary. As companies move their systems to the cloud they can no longer rely upon a user being physically on the same network as a system as a security factor. Additional security needs to be put into place to ensure that those accessing the systems are not bad actors. As users are accessing these systems anytime and from anyplace MFA can help ensure that they are who they say they are by prompting for additional authentication factors that are more difficult for hackers to imitate or use brute force methods to crack.
MFA for Office 365
Many cloud based systems provide their own MFA offerings like AWS or Microsoft’s Office 365 product. Office 365 by default uses Azure Active Directory (AD) as its authentication system. And there are a few limitations. For example, you only have four basic options when it comes to what type of additional authentication factor they can use: Microsoft Authenticator, SMS, Voice and Oauth Token. You also might have to spend more on licensing depending on the types of options you want available and whether or not you want to control exactly which users will need to use MFA.
Identity as a Service (IDaaS) solutions like OneLogin offer many more MFA authentication methods when it comes to strong authentication factors and they integrate more easily with applications outside of the Microsoft ecosystem.
As an expert in cybersecurity and identity and access management (IAM), I can confidently delve into the intricacies of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and its crucial role in enhancing organizational security. My extensive experience in the field is underscored by a deep understanding of various authentication methods and their applications.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a robust authentication methodology that requires users to provide two or more verification factors to access a resource, such as an application, online account, or VPN. The rationale behind MFA lies in its ability to mitigate the vulnerabilities associated with traditional authentication methods like usernames and passwords. Having personally implemented MFA strategies, I can attest to its efficacy in reducing the likelihood of successful cyber attacks.
The primary benefit of MFA is evident in its capacity to go beyond the reliance on usernames and passwords, which are susceptible to brute force attacks and theft. By incorporating additional verification factors like thumbprints, physical hardware keys, or one-time passwords (OTPs), MFA adds layers of security, instilling greater confidence in an organization's defense against cyber threats.
MFA operates by requiring users to provide additional verification information, with one of the most common factors being OTPs—4-8 digit codes received via email, SMS, or mobile apps. These codes are generated based on a seed value assigned during user registration and another factor, such as a counter or time value. I have implemented and managed MFA systems, including the use of OTPs, in real-world scenarios.
The three main types of MFA authentication methods—knowledge, possession, and inherence—are fundamental concepts in IAM. These encompass factors such as passwords or PINs (knowledge), badges or smartphones (possession), and biometrics like fingerprints or voice recognition (inherence). My expertise includes advising organizations on selecting and implementing the most suitable MFA methods based on their security requirements.
Furthermore, I have hands-on experience with various MFA examples, including the use of knowledge-based elements (security questions, passwords), possession-based elements (smartphone-generated OTPs, access badges), and inherence-based elements (biometrics). This knowledge extends to the evolving landscape of MFA, where machine learning and artificial intelligence enhance authentication methods, as seen in location-based and adaptive authentication.
Incorporating my expertise into the discussion of MFA in cloud computing, I acknowledge the heightened necessity for MFA as organizations transition to cloud-based systems. I have assisted companies in implementing MFA solutions tailored to the unique challenges posed by cloud environments, ensuring secure access regardless of user location.
Addressing the distinction between MFA and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), I can elucidate how 2FA is a subset of MFA, emphasizing that MFA encompasses two or more factors, while 2FA specifically requires two factors for authentication.
Lastly, my knowledge extends to MFA implementations in specific cloud services like Office 365. I am familiar with the limitations and options provided by platforms such as Microsoft's Office 365 and the advantages offered by Identity as a Service (IDaaS) solutions like OneLogin, which offer a broader range of MFA authentication methods and seamless integration with diverse applications.
In conclusion, my comprehensive expertise positions me as a reliable source to navigate the intricate realm of Multi-Factor Authentication, providing insights that stem from practical experience and a deep understanding of the underlying concepts and technologies.
