Best 10 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Software Solutions

What Is a Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Solution?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA), is an authentication method that requires more authentication than the username and password. It allows you to access an account, application, or device using multiple factors. Other authentication options include key fobs and USB USB-based key generators. Smart cards and biometric identification are also possible.

Systems that rely solely on passwords to authenticate are vulnerable. The user is responsible for their security and the hygiene of their passwords. According to Verizon’s 2020 DBIR Report, 80% of security breaches occurred in 2020 due to compromised passwords. MFA can be implemented by companies at both the customer-facing and employee-facing points to increase security.

Key Must-Have Features of a Multi-Factor Authentication Solution

When integrating MFA solutions into your business, there are many things to take into consideration. These are the main features you should be looking for:

1. Granular policies

MFA solutions are based on access policies. MFA solutions must be able to support policies at every level, including user, role, and application. This ensures that the solution can be scaled and is consistent.

2. Self-service capabilities

MFA solutions are able to balance security and usability. A higher frequency of authentication can lead to lower employee productivity and could cause end-users to abandon the application. This problem can be mitigated by giving users more control over the authentication methods they are allowed to use. Accessibility to tokens must allow users to choose and modify login types.

3. Third-party integrations

Companies integrate their company networks with third-party solutions like Dropbox and cloud-based SaaS service providers. Payment apps like Stripe are the leaders in the integration space. It will be easier to use MFA software that can connect to these apps if it is more well-equipped. It’s a bonus if MFA software integrates with existing security implementations.

4. Comprehensive dashboard

A dashboard is something that we all take for granted in any software solution. However, it is especially important for MFA solutions because access and authentication policies can quickly become complicated. One dashboard for policy administration would make admins more productive and faster.

5. Reports and logs

MFA implementation is required by some industries to comply with compliance requirements such as HIPAA or PSD2. Auditing in these cases requires activity logs for compliance reasons. Administrators can spot anomalies and threats to security with customizable reports that are comprehensive and customizable. Security hygiene is a key component of good reports and logs.

6. Adaptive authentication

MFA solutions rely on three fundamental factors: knowledge and possession. Advanced MFA solutions however leverage additional contextual factors. These factors include the location of the user, the time at which they requested access, and the health of their device.

These factors must be taken into consideration when the MFA software is used. For example, if a login request is received after office hours, an additional authentication step should be added. If the pre-configured tokens cannot be accessed (e.g. no internet access), users should be able to access other modes of authentication. This allows for a more seamless user experience.

Also read: Top 7 IoT security threats to prioritize in 2021

7. Varied authentication tokens

With technological advances, the number of authentication tokens available is growing. The highest level of authentication is provided by biometric tokens like fingerprints (inherence), while passwords and security questions (knowledge), are the most reliable.

An MFA solution that provides many options for this range of security features is a good choice. OTPs via SMS, phone calls, authenticator app, push notifications, hardware tokens, and soft tokens as well as biometric-based tokens and smart cards are some of the most popular tokens.

8. Deployment options

MFA solutions are available deployed on the cloud, or on individual devices. Because of the many uses, most enterprises need a combination of both. It is important that the MFA’s deployment options are compatible with the organization’s existing architecture. These are the most widely used deployment options currently: policy server deployment on cloud and policy-server as-a-service.

Top 10 Multi-Factor Authentication Software Solutions for 2021

We have now seen the importance and value of MFA solutions. Let’s look at some multi-factor authentication software options available in 2021.

Disclaimer: These listings were compiled from publicly available information as well as vendor websites. It is recommended that readers do extensive research about each software. The alphabetical listing of companies is provided.

1. CISCO Duo Security

Core features:

• Granular policies: This allows policy implementation at the application, user, and global levels via an admin dashboard.
• Self-service capabilities: Users can choose and update authentication controls.
• Integrations with third-party devices: This can be used to integrate with iPhones, Android mobiles, and other devices, such as the Apple Watch.
• Comprehensive dashboard: Duo Device Insights and Duo Trust Monitor work together to give administrators a 360-degree view of all activities and endpoints.
• Reports and logs — It offers multiple reports, such as a deployment status report, administrator actions report, and policy impact report. Duo offers authentication logs, administrator logs, and telephony logs to prove compliance.
• Adaptive authentication: It provides adaptive security policy, such as new user security and location-specific access policies.
• Multiple deployment options: Duo Mobile App provides 2FA capability to devices both on-premises and in the cloud. Duo Restore allows users to restore and back up the Duo Mobile App.

Supported authentication methods: ToTP passcodes, Duo push to enable push notification-based authentication, and SMS passcodes for phone callbacks, U2F devices like Yubico’s YubiKey, and TouchID via WebAuthn (Web Authentication Protocol), bypass code if 2FA is not available.

Customer support: Duo Security customer support is available via email, phone, chat, and initiating a case. Customer support for Duo Care Premium is available 24×7 with priority issue resolution.

Pricing: Duo provides four subscription packs with varying feature support:

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