Maximizing Security: Choosing the Best Multifactor Authentication Tool (MFA) for Your Company
Explore the features, key providers, and why cultivating a strong relationship with your chosen MFA vendor
Why Multifactor Authentication (MFA) Tools Are Important
Multifactor authentication tools help protect your business from many common cyber threats. The days of trusting passwords alone – single-factor authentication – are over. Today, IT (Information Technology) security teams responsible for user identity and access management (IAM) are turning to more secure multifactor authentication.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) requires users to provide two verifiable credentials to access online resources, while MFA uses multiple authentication methods. The combination of multiple factors, including AI-driven risk analysis, strengthens the security posture of MFA systems.
When a password falls into the wrong hands, MFA puts up another obstacle that makes it much tougher for the malicious player to break into your systems and data.
What Are Multifactor Authentication (MFA) Tools?
Multifactor authentication (MFA) tools are software solutions that offer an extra level of protection for user authentication. They need users to provide two or more verification factors, such as a security token, or a biometric factor like a fingerprint, to access a system or application. This improves security by making it harder for unauthorized users to access confidential information.
Some Common Features of MFA Tools:
- OTP (One Time Password) Authentication
- Email Authentication
- Multi-Device Protection
- Role and User Management
- Integration APIs
- Biometrics Authentication
- Browser Push Notifications
- Hard Token Authentication
- Dashboards, Analytics and Reporting
- Role-Based Multifactor Authentication
Top Multifactor Authentication Software 2024.
Info-Tech Research Group’s SoftwareReviews division collects end-user reviews to rate the performance of multifactor authentication software.
Visit SoftwareReviews.com to review the latest feedback on the top multifactor authentication software.
- Duo Security by Cisco
The Importance of Vendor Relationships in Vendor Selection
When choosing vendors, companies are increasingly paying attention to not only the product features, but also the vendor relationship. This means that companies want vendors who can offer both the technical skills they require, and a good and cooperative working relationship. This can involve aspects such as being quick to respond, adaptable, and ready to collaborate to overcome challenges and reach shared objectives.
Emotional Footprint: The Key to Understanding Software Value and Vendor Relationships
The SoftwareReviews Emotional Footprint is distinct because it provides a comprehensive view of the customer experience with a software vendor, spanning procurement, implementation, service, and support. It differs from other evaluations by focusing on the emotional aspect of the user experience, which is illustrated through the Emotional Footprint Diamond. This diamond visualizes how users perceive their interactions with the software vendor in relation to the perceived cost-to-value of the software, offering an in-depth insight into the potential relationship with the vendor.
For software buyers, the Net Emotional Footprint matters because it is a roll-up of 27 aspects of the customer relationship. It measures user emotional response ratings such as trustworthiness, respect, and fairness, which can influence a prospect’s decision to convert into a paying customer. This information is crucial for buyers as it helps them understand the value they are getting for their investment and the quality of the relationship they can expect with the vendor. It goes beyond just the technical capabilities of the software to encompass the entire experience, which can be a deciding factor in the purchasing decision.
The Emotional Footprint provides a unique view of the software and the vendor, enabling buyers to make more informed decisions based on both the functional performance and the relationship they can expect from their software provider.
Current Emotional Footprint of Microsoft Authenticator
This is a draft report published in Dec 2023 representing 41 customer interviews. Visit this page to see the latest scorecard for Microsoft Authenticator.
Our Take
Multifactor authentication is an essential security measure that is constantly evolving. It is crucial to select a provider that can adapt and adjust to the changing landscape of cybersecurity. Instead of focusing solely on the features of different MFA providers, it is important to consider the overall value and support they offer.
When evaluating MFA providers, it's helpful to look at their ability to integrate with various systems and applications as well as their track record of updating and improving their offerings. It's also important to consider the level of support they provide to their customers, including assistance with deployment, troubleshooting, and ongoing maintenance.
Choose a provider that can adapt and adjust to the ever-changing cybersecurity environment to help ensure that your organization remains protected against evolving threats. Additionally, by focusing on the overall value and support provided by the MFA provider, you can ensure that you are getting the most out of your investment in this critical security measure.
Contact us to learn more about SoftwareReviews reports or how SoftwareReviews can help with your next MFA technology selection projects.
Want to Know More?
SoftwareReviews ranking of MFA tools
NIST resources on MFA tools
Info-Tech Research Group Research on cybersecurity and MFA