Poland
GRANDMETRIC Sp. z o.o.
ul. Metalowa 5, 60-118 Poznań, Poland
NIP 7792433527
+48 61 271 04 43
info@grandmetric.com
Sweden
Drottninggatan 86
111 36 Stockholm
+46 762 041 514
info@grandmetric.com
UK
Grandmetric LTD
Office 584b
182-184 High Street North
London
E6 2JA
+44 20 3321 5276
info@grandmetric.com
US Region
Grandmetric LLC
Lewes DE 19958
16192 Coastal Hwy USA
EIN: 98-1615498
+1 302 691 94 10
info@grandmetric.com
Traditional passwords are no longer enough. Go for MFA!
MFA – Multi Factor Authentication MFA, or multi-factor authentication, is an effective and modern method of securing access to systems and data. Instead of relying solely on a password, MFA adds additional layers of protection (authentication methods) that make it much more difficult for cybercriminals to take control of your account. It is a simple, yet extremely effective solution that protects your company from unauthorized access.
As many as 81% of security breaches are caused by password compromise, and hackers are increasingly using phishing, brute force attacks, and other methods. Is your company ready to protect its assets from cyber threats?
The system combines several different authentication factors, which means that even if one of them is breached, the data remains safe. These are:
Two-factor authentication works by verifying a user using two factors that work together to confirm their identity. When there are more factors, it is called multi-factor authentication. Here is what a typical login process with MFA looks like:
Features such as push notifications, one-time codes, and biometric authentication methods make MFA not only secure but also convenient for the user.
Protection against account takeovers
Phishing, brute force, and data leaks – all of these threats become less effective with MFA. Even if a cybercriminal obtains a user’s password, they will not be able to access the account without a second factor of authentication (e.g. SMS, PIN).
Meeting regulatory requirements
Regulations such as GDPR, NIS2, and PCI-DSS require the use of advanced data protection methods. Implementing MFA not only supports compliance with these standards, but also builds trust with customers and business partners.
Increased Security for Remote Work
In the era of remote work, accessing corporate resources from outside the office is becoming the norm. MFA protects these processes, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access critical systems.
Minimizing Financial Risk
The costs of a data breach can be enormous, both in terms of direct financial losses and reputational damage. MFA reduces this risk by providing an effective preventative solution.
Grandmetric offers two leading MFA solutions suitable for Enterprise-class environments.
Cisco Duo is one of the most advanced and popular MFA solutions on the market. Its flexibility, ease of deployment, and wide range of features make it an ideal choice for both small businesses and large enterprises.
Key Features of Cisco Duo:
Where will Cisco Duo fit in?
Cisco Duo multi-factor authentication is ideal for companies that use distributed teams and hybrid environments. Its scalability makes it suitable for both small and medium-sized enterprises and large organizations such as banks and government institutions. Companies using cloud infrastructure will especially appreciate Duo’s ease of integration with popular platforms such as Microsoft 365, AWS, and Google Workspace.
FortiToken is an MFA solution offered by Fortinet, which is part of the company’s security ecosystem. With its simplicity, broad compatibility, and integration with other Fortinet products, FortiToken is a convenient and effective tool for organizations looking for effective protection against unauthorized access.
FortiToken Key Features:
Gdzie sprawdzi się FortiToken?
FortiToken is especially recommended for companies that use Fortinet infrastructure, such as FortiGate firewalls or FortiAuthenticator. It is perfect for small and medium-sized organizations that are looking for an affordable MFA solution with the ability to integrate with existing security systems. Thanks to its versatility, it is also popular in educational environments, local government, and the healthcare sector.
Source: Fortinet.com
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a key element of a modern IT security system, but to fully utilize its potential and increase the level of protection, it is worth complementing it with other technologies. By integrating MFA with additional solutions, you can not only increase security, but also streamline access management and threat response processes.
SSO (Single Sign-On) is a system that allows users to log in once to access multiple applications and services. In combination with MFA, SSO provides a high level of security while simplifying the login process. Thanks to this, employees do not have to remember multiple passwords, and each login is additionally secured with multi-factor verification. This is an ideal solution for companies with a distributed IT environment, using numerous cloud and local tools.
IAM systems allow for central management of user identities, their roles, and permissions. MFA works perfectly with IAM, strengthening the authentication process and ensuring that only those with the right permissions have access to resources. By integrating these solutions, companies can better control access to data and applications, especially in remote work environments.
EDR systems monitor endpoint devices such as laptops, phones, and tablets for signs of threats. When paired with MFA, it increases protection by requiring additional authentication when access is attempted from a new or suspicious device. Together, EDR and MFA minimize the risk of security breaches, especially in hybrid or remote work scenarios.
SOAR is a system that automates responses to security incidents, such as blocking suspicious activity or resetting passwords. When combined with MFA, SOAR allows you to immediately respond to suspicious logins or unauthorized access attempts. For example, if a user logs in from an unusual location, SOAR can automatically enforce additional verification through two-factor authentication or temporarily lock the account.
Platforms that provide intelligence on the latest threats can work with MFA to provide information on suspicious IP addresses, locations, and attack patterns. Integrating with these systems can strengthen MFA mechanisms, automatically increasing security when a user logs in from a location or device that is considered potentially dangerous.
More and more companies are using cloud applications such as Microsoft 365, AWS, and Google Workspace. MFA solutions can be complemented by dedicated cloud security systems that control access and monitor activities in cloud environments. In the case of suspicious activities, such as mass data downloads, two-factor authentication can force additional identity confirmation.
NDR enables real-time analysis of network traffic, detecting unusual activity such as attempted intrusions. When combined with MFA, NDR can enforce additional user verification when suspicious activity is detected, such as logins outside the company’s usual IP range.
MDMs are systems that manage mobile devices, which are often used for MFA logins. Integrating with MDM lets you control which devices can be used for authentication and ensures that they meet security standards, such as data encryption and software updates.
MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) and 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) are similar authentication methods, but they differ in their level of complexity and flexibility. 2FA always requires exactly two authentication factors, usually from different categories, such as a password and an SMS code. MFA, on the other hand, can include any number of factors, allowing you to tailor your security level to your organization’s specific needs. With more layers of protection, MFA provides more comprehensive security, better protecting against advanced attacks such as password hijacking or phishing. In practice, MFA is especially useful in environments that require the highest level of protection, such as financial institutions or technology companies.
Yes, MFA can be implemented in most companies, regardless of their size or industry. The condition is that the systems used in the company enable the integration of such a solution. Current MFA solutions, such as Cisco Duo, offer broad compatibility with various operating systems, applications, and devices. This means that they can be easily integrated with existing infrastructure, adjusting the level of security to the specific needs of the organization. Custom-written systems that do not provide support for additional authentication mechanisms can be a problem in implementation. If such systems are used in your company, implementing MFA may not be possible.
The time it takes to implement MFA depends on the size of the company, the complexity of the IT infrastructure, and the solution chosen. In simpler environments, implementation can take just a few hours or days. In larger companies with more extensive infrastructure, the process can take several weeks, including requirements analysis, integration, and user training.
Yes, MFA not only complies with legal regulations, but also helps to meet them. MFA technologies support compliance with standards such as GDPR, NIS2 or PCI-DSS, which require advanced methods of protecting access to data. Implementing MFA is also a way to protect the organization from potential penalties related to failure to meet security requirements.
Schedule a free consultation and learn more about MFA!
