If you follow our blog, you know we’ve spent a lot of time talking about multi-factor authentication solutions (MFA). Why? Well, over the past several years, we’ve seen a significant increase in phishing attacks, particularly targeting Microsoft 365. Industry statistics show that the majority of data breaches are due to phishing, and in 2021, 83% of organizations reported experiencing a phishing attack.
One of the biggest responsibilities is to help protect our clients and try to minimize security risks. That’s why ADNET requires clients to use multi-factor authentication for their Microsoft 365 (M365) deployments.
Evaluating Multi-Factor Authentication Solutions
When evaluating a multi-factor authentication solution for Microsoft 365, there are many options. These range from Microsoft’s built-in MFA to third-party solutions. ADNET typically chooses a third-party solution from Duo. We recommend it for most clients over Microsoft’s integrated MFA for several reasons.
Why Duo over Microsoft?
- Breadth of Coverage – Duo MFA works with more logins than just Microsoft 365. It can be used with VPN connections, Citrix and various online applications. Also, having a single MFA solution allows for better security as there is only one console to manage and control.
- Insight – The Duo MFA console provides information regarding the mobile devices used for authentication. For example, we can see (and act on) issues with cell phones that may not have the best level of security in place.
- Ease of Use – Duo’s MFA solution works very well for end users. The app integrates with various mobile authentication methods – Touch ID and Face ID. – It’s also compatible with devices like Apple Watches. Users who don’t have a smart phone can use tokens and third-party hardware to authenticate.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to have MFA implemented. While ADNET advises clients to use Duo, if your preference or budget only allows for Microsoft’s built-in MFA, that’s still a workable solution. As cyberattacks continue to evolve, MFA will become an even bigger part of all access. Not just with Microsoft 365, but with the remote access and cloud applications we use daily.
Want more information on multi-factor authentication solutions?
Contact us today and we can guide you.
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