What are the common challenges and best practices of implementing MFA and 2FA? (2024)

FAQs

What are the common challenges and best practices of implementing MFA and 2FA? ›

MFA and 2FA can present some challenges, such as user resistance, security gaps, and integration issues. To overcome user resistance, you should educate your users about the benefits and risks of MFA and 2FA and make the authentication process as seamless and user-friendly as possible.

While MFA can provide an additional layer of security, it is not foolproof. Attackers can still use phishing attacks to bypass MFA and gain access to sensitive information. In fact, some MFA solutions may actually make it easier for attackers to carry out phishing attacks.

MFA User Challenges and Barriers to Adoption

Generally speaking, MFA may be difficult to deploy because of: 1. Device incompatibility — MFA often requires employees to use their personal devices. Clarify which OS and versions the MFA technology works on, and present alternatives for those on different systems.

MFA implementation challenges can arise from various factors, including user resistance, lack of resources, and integration issues.

If the primary MFA device or method fails—e.g., smartphone app or hardware token—users get locked out of their accounts. Also, human error, such as users falling for a phishing or social engineering attack, is a point of failure MFA cannot entirely mitigate.

As we mentioned above, most new platforms already include the capability for MFA, and it is just a matter of going in at the administrator level and activating it. For older software, it can be more challenging to implement MFA, but it is well worth the effort to provide additional security for your organization.

Risk-based authentication assesses the probability of account compromise with each login. If the request seems unusual or suspect, the user must do something extra to gain access. Additional factors (like biometrics) ensure that the request comes from a valid user.

Factors that rely on your phone number, such as SMS and phone calls should be avoided if possible as they are the least secure and provide the worst user experience.

It opens up a gateway for hackers to exploit, especially if you use predictable passwords or reuse them across multiple platforms. Without MFA, a cybercriminal only needs to crack or guess your password once to gain unauthorized access to your personal information, financial data, or even steal your identity.

What are the three key factors of MFA? ›

Factors include: (i) something you know (e.g. password/personal identification number (PIN)); (ii) something you have (e.g., cryptographic identification device, token); or (iii) something you are (e.g., biometric).

One of the most common MFA factors that users encounter are one-time passwords (OTP). OTPs are those 4-8 digit codes that you often receive via email, SMS or some sort of mobile app.

2FA, and multi-factor authentication as a whole, is a reliable and effective system for blocking unauthorized access. It still, however, has some downsides. These include: Increased login time – Users must go through an extra step to login into an application, adding time to the login process.

Hardware security keys like YubiKey provide the most secure form of two-factor authentication. Unlike SMS or authenticator apps which can be phished, hardware keys offer phishing resistant authentication by requiring physical possession of the key.

SMS Token. Perhaps the most common method of implementing 2FA. This method sends the user a unique token via SMS text message, normally a 5-10 digit code, after they have successfully entered their username and password. The user then needs to provide this unique token before they are granted access.

2FA, and multi-factor authentication as a whole, is a reliable and effective system for blocking unauthorized access. It still, however, has some downsides. These include: Increased login time – Users must go through an extra step to login into an application, adding time to the login process.

Drawbacks you may encounter

The most common reason for this can be the lack of a modern phone or any other gadget that would support such a feature. Problems due to loss of access to one of the authentication factors. This can make it difficult to access a personal account and take some time to solve it.

Because even if a malicious cyber actor compromises one factor (like your password), they will be unable to meet the second authentication requirement, which ultimately stops them from gaining access to your accounts.

Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security to the authentication process by making it harder for attackers to gain access to a person's devices or online accounts because, even if the victim's password is hacked, a password alone is not enough to pass the authentication check. An error occurred.