Two-factor authentication (2FA) is one of the types of multi-factor authentication (MFA). It strengthens user access security by forcing the person to use two methods (or two factors) to verify his or her identity. The second factor can be something that a person knows (like a login name and password) – plus something that a person has – like an authentication app on a smartphone. A second factor is required to complete authentication requests.
The right second factor (like FIDO-based authentication) can protect you from phishing scams, social engineering, and brute-force attacks on passwords. It secures the login process against attacks that exploit weak or stolen credentials.
With Secfense, you protect your entire organization with FIDO-based 2FA in a matter of days.
What is 2fa, and what makes 2 factor authentication special compared to one-factor authentication? The additional layer of security it provides. While one-factor authentication relies solely on a username and password combination, 2FA requires users to provide a second form of authentication, such as a security token, biometric information, or a unique code generated by an authentication app. This extra factor significantly enhances the security of online accounts by reducing the vulnerability of passwords, mitigating the risk of unauthorized access even if the password is compromised. 2 step verification adds an extra step for attackers to overcome, making it more difficult for them to gain entry and providing a higher level of user identification and account protection.
Most companies today use some form of 2FA, and the trend is shifting to FIDO-based authentication introduced across the entire organization.
2FA is important because it significantly enhances the security of online accounts and helps protect against unauthorized access. Passwords alone can be compromised or stolen. However, 2FA adds an additional layer of verification, typically requiring something the user knows (password) and something they possess (such as a smartphone or security token). This extra step makes it significantly harder for attackers to gain access to sensitive information or impersonate users. By implementing 2FA, individuals and organizations can greatly reduce the risks associated with weak passwords, phishing attacks, and credential theft, thereby safeguarding their digital identities and valuable data.
Note that the industry is shifting from traditional 2FA methods like SMS, TOTP, and push authentication towards FIDO authentication, which is more secure than any other authentication method.
2FA is a crucial security measure for organizations to protect their employees from phishing attacks and credential theft. However, the adoption of 2FA has often been hindered by challenges such as high costs, time-consuming implementation, and compatibility issues with complex legacy systems. In response to that challenges, Secfense built the User Access Authentication Broker (UASB), a solution that addresses these integration problems.
The Secfense UASB simplifies and streamlines the adoption of 2FA, making it easy, efficient, and affordable for any organization. With Secfense UASB, security administrators can easily introduce any 2FA method available on the market to any web application without the need for software development. The deployment process is quick, taking just minutes, and it can be scaled effortlessly to encompass all applications within the company. By deploying the Secfense UASB as a virtual appliance and configuring reverse-proxy traffic and learning mechanisms, organizations can effectively track, monitor, and learn traffic patterns, allowing the system to trigger 2FA.
Secfense empowers organizations to overcome the challenges associated with 2FA adoption. With Secfense, any organization can get complete FIDO protection of all their apps and users in a matter of days.
Secfense User Access Security Broker (UASB) is a highly versatile tool that supports a wide range of 2 step authentication methods. As a 2FA method agnostic solution, Secfense UASB provides the flexibility to deploy any 2FA method available on the market, tailored to meet each customer’s unique requirements.
While Secfense recommends the use of FIDO2, an open web authentication standard known for its robust phishing resistance and user convenience, the Secfense tool also supports other traditional 2FA methods.
For customers with specific needs, Secfense enables the implementation of traditional methods based on one-time codes (such as SMS authentication) or TOTP (authentication apps).
With Secfense UASB, organizations can choose the most suitable 2FA method that aligns with their security goals and user preferences, ensuring a comprehensive and adaptable authentication experience.
UASB live demo takes less than 15 minutes, and POC usually takes less than a week. After the POC our clients have full understanding how our technology works and how it can protect the entire infrastructure with 2FA without any software integration.
Secfense User Access Security Broker (UASB) offers an easiest approach to introduce 2FA in organizations of all sizes, whether they are small businesses or global enterprises. With a strong emphasis on accessibility and affordability, Secfense UASB ensures that 2FA is within reach for any organization, regardless of the number of applications that need protection.
Whether an organization has a few applications or an extensive portfolio with thousands of applications and tens of thousands of employees, the deployment process stays the same. This approach minimizes complexity while maximizing scalability.
The true value of Secfense UASB becomes most apparent in large organizations with heterogenous environment. In such cases, integrating 2FA with applications can often be challenging due to vendor lock-ins or maintenance issues. Secfense eliminates these barriers by providing a unified solution that works seamlessly with any web application. The deployment process can be easily replicated across applications, regardless of their number. This scalability allows organizations to implement 2FA uniformly across their entire application landscape, enhancing security and mitigating the risk of unauthorized access.
Secfense User Access Security Broker (UASB) makes it easy for organizations to implement 2FA and improve their security. With Secfense UASB, there’s no need for complicated setups or difficult integrations. The deployment process is simple and can be repeated for any web application. It doesn’t matter if an organization is small or large, Secfense UASB can scale to meet their needs.
By using Secfense UASB, organizations can outdo their competitors that are
still using password protection only, or old, legacy 2FA methods that have already been compromised.
Only FIDO-based authentication on top of the entire infrastructure can face the challenges of modern cyberattacks. With Secfense you can add FIDO authentication to your apps in a matter of minutes and become FIDO-protected organization within days.
When we talk about “the Factor” in Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), we’re referring to the means by which a user proves their identity. 2FA is a type of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) that requires two specific factors for authentication. In MFA, three or more factors may be needed to confirm a user’s identity. In total, a person can utilize five commonly recognized factors to validate their identity. These factors include something you know (like a password), something you have (such as a security token or smartphone), something you are (biometric data like fingerprints or facial recognition), somewhere you are (geolocation verification), and something you do (behavioral patterns). Using multiple factors, 2FA and MFA add extra layers of security to ensure that the person accessing an account or system is a legitimate user. The trend today is to move away from passwords and traditional 2FA methods and shift to FIDO-based authentication.
FIDO2 is like a super secure lock for your online accounts. It uses a special way of keeping your login information safe, so bad actors can’t steal it. Unlike other methods, FIDO2 ensures that your secret codes and passwords are never shown or given away, making it hard for hackers to trick you. It also makes you actively participate in the login process using a special device, making it even harder for criminals to fool you. So, FIDO2 is like having an extra strong lock on your door that only you can open, keeping your accounts safe from bad guys trying to steal your information.
The inherence factor is all about using unique things that are part of a person and can’t be separated from them. It’s like having special traits that only belong to you. For example, using your fingerprint or scanning your eyes with special cameras can be used as inherence factors because they are special to you and no one else can have the same ones.
FIDO (Fast Identity Online) uses inherence factors, like your fingerprint or the way your eyes look, to make sure it’s really you when you log into your accounts. It compares these unique things to what it has on file to make sure it’s really you and not someone pretending to be you. This helps keep your accounts safe and makes it harder for others to access them without your permission.
The knowledge factor is information that only that specific person should know. We’re talking about passwords, so shortcodes built from letters, numbers, and/or special signs. A password should only be known to its owner and should never, under no circumstance, be shared with other people.
The number one flaw with passwords though is that they can be easily guessed, stolen, or hacked by attackers. Many people use simple and easy-to-guess passwords, such as “123456” or their own names, making it simple for hackers to gain unauthorized access. Additionally, people often reuse passwords across multiple accounts, so if one password is compromised, all accounts using that same password become vulnerable. Attackers can also use techniques like brute force attacks or phishing to try and obtain passwords. Overall, knowledge factor, like passwords alone are not strong enough to protect against determined attackers, and that’s why additional security measures are important to add an extra layer of protection.
This factor confirms the identity of the person based on his or her location at the moment. It is tracked based on the IP address of the person. If he or she registered to the app in one country and has been using it since then for a longer period of time then when there’s a login attempt from a different part of the world then the location factor is triggered and the person will be asked to confirm the identity to make sure it’s still him or her.
The time factor in MFA security refers to the consideration of specific timeframes or authorized periods when a person is expected to log in to a particular online resource or system. This factor adds an extra layer of security by confirming that the person attempting to log in is doing so within the expected timeframe. For example, if an employee typically accesses company resources during regular office hours, any login attempt outside of that timeframe may trigger the need for additional identity verification to ensure the legitimacy of the login. Essentially, the time factor helps protect against unauthorized access by verifying that the login is occurring at the appropriate time.
Modern Possession Factors in Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) typically involve the use of physical devices or objects that an individual possesses to verify their identity. These factors add an extra layer of security beyond just a password. Some examples of modern possession factors include:
Security Tokens: These are small devices that generate unique codes or passwords that are required for authentication. They can be either hardware tokens or software-based tokens on a smartphone or computer.
Smart Cards: These are credit card-sized cards with an embedded chip that stores digital certificates or authentication information. They are commonly used in enterprise environments for secure access.
Mobile Devices: Smartphones or tablets can serve as possession factors by using authentication apps or receiving one-time passwords (OTPs) via SMS for MFA.
Security Keys: Physical USB or Bluetooth devices that provide an additional layer of security by requiring the user to physically insert or authenticate with the key.
These possession factors ensure that only the person with the authorized device can complete the authentication process, making it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to gain access to sensitive accounts or systems.
User Access Security Broker from Secfense makes it possible to use any possession factors that are available on the market and in a fast and easy way connect it with any application within minutes.
Strong FIDO-based 2FA solves several problems related to online security. Here are some of the key issues it addresses:
Phishing Attacks: FIDO-based 2FA significantly reduces the risk of falling victim to phishing attacks. Traditional login methods are susceptible to phishing, where attackers trick users into providing their credentials on fake websites. FIDO-based 2FA login uses cryptographic keys, making it resistant to phishing attempts as the user’s credentials are never exposed.
Password Weakness: Many people use weak passwords or reuse passwords across multiple accounts, making them vulnerable to hacking. FIDO-based 2FA reduces reliance on passwords, mitigating the impact of weak or compromised passwords. Even if an attacker manages to obtain a password, they still need the physical device or biometric factor to authenticate successfully.
Credential Theft: FIDO-based 2FA provides protection against credential theft. Traditional authentication methods, such as username/password combinations, can be intercepted or stolen. With FIDO-based 2FA, even if the login credentials are compromised, the attacker would still require the user’s physical device or biometric data to gain access.
Account Takeover: Strong 2FA helps prevent unauthorized individuals from taking over user accounts. By requiring an additional factor beyond a password, it becomes significantly harder for attackers to impersonate users and gain unauthorized access to their accounts.
User Convenience: FIDO-based 2FA offers a more convenient user experience compared to traditional methods like SMS-based one-time passwords (OTPs) or hardware tokens. It leverages devices such as smartphones or security keys, which users typically have with them, making the authentication process smoother and less cumbersome.
In summary, strong FIDO-based 2FA enhances security by addressing the vulnerabilities associated with phishing attacks, weak passwords, credential theft, and account takeovers and offers a more user-friendly authentication experience.
Organizations are shifting to FIDO-based 2FA because it is today the only way to address modern phishing and social engineering risks.
Companies choose to introduce FIDO-based 2FA with Secfense because only with Secfense can they spread the FIDO authentication layer across all applications without any integration costs and in a matter of days.
As mentioned earlier, a password is one of many factors that a person can authenticate with. This method while being least secure (and easiest to compromise) is at the same time the most commonly used. There are various ways in which passwords can get compromised. From simply sharing the password in emails or sticky notes, to passwords being stolen from unprotected databases.
Cybercriminals will usually send an email with links to malicious websites that either infects a person’s computer or convince that person to share his or her passwords. Once the password is obtained it can be used by a criminal to steal data and compromise the entire organization. two way authentication fights phishing by adding a second layer of authentication that is triggered after typing the password.
Even without actually written down the password, cybercriminals are still able to use malicious software to steal passwords as they typed in. After the malware is installed by an unaware person criminals can then track every keystroke and store every password and then use it in the hacking attempt. The second layer of double authentication helps a person to make sure that the login attempt is done by the right person.
A brute force attack is when a bad actor tries every possible combination of passwords until they find the right one to gain unauthorized access to an account or system. It’s like trying every key in a bunch until one unlocks the door.
FIDO2 is a good way to protect against brute force attacks because it adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password. Instead of relying solely on a password, FIDO2 uses special devices or biometrics (like fingerprints) to confirm your identity. This makes it hard for an attacker to guess or crack your password because they would also need physical possession of your device or unique biometric traits to gain access.
So, even if a criminal tries thousands or millions of different passwords, they won’t be successful without the physical device or biometric information required by FIDO2. This helps keep your accounts and sensitive information safe from brute-force attacks.
Modern two-factor authentication (the one that uses FIDO as one of the factors) is a good way to protect a person and an organization against this type of malicious manipulation because even if the password gets compromised, there’s still a second factor that doesn’t rely on a shared secret and that verifies if the person that tries to connect is the one that is entitled to do it in the first place.
Organizations are rapidly turning to FIDO-based 2FA to strengthen their passwords or even replace them (while adding some other authentication factors to the login process). Companies that want to enhance their authentication security work with Secfense because Secfense offers the fastest and easiest way to spawn an 2FA security layer across all apps in the organization in a matter of days and with zero integration costs.
User Access Security Broker from Secfense makes it possible to deploy and scale all types of 2FA that are available on the market. One of the core fundamentals of a user access broker is the complete flexibility of choice. So the security administrator within the company can decide which method is the preferred one and on which user group should it be used.
Secfense always advises its customers to pick the FIDO2 standard as the strongest method of authentication there is. There is however an abundance of 2FA solutions available on the market and Secfense being in the position of a security broker makes the deployment process the same for all of them.
One of the traditional, no longer recommended approaches to authentication is SMS-based authentication. It verifies the person’s identity by sending a text message with a special code to the mobile device of that specific person. The person needs to then type in the received code into the website or application in order to authenticate and access it.
Simplicity. SMS 2FA is one of the oldest and most commonly known 2FA methods. It simply sends a code to a person’s mobile phone. The code is entered and the access to the information is gained.
Speed. If something suspicious takes place, SMS-based 2FA sends a one-time password (OTP) to a person’s device, so only the person that physically has this device in his or her hands can log in and authenticate. SMS-based two-factor authentication is a fast way to verify the identity of a person.
Universality. SMS-based 2FA is the oldest form of multi authentication, so it has become
a commonly used security tool.
Connectivity requirement. SMS-based 2FA requires a smartphone with a reception. SMS-based 2FA has been compromised by various attacks, including SIM swapping, interception of SMS messages, and phishing attacks.
Since phone numbers aren’t tied to physical devices, it’s possible for hackers to outsmart this authentication method without accessing a person’s smartphone.
Another traditional 2FA method is Time-Based One Time Password (TOTP). This method generates a 2fa code on the device. The security key usually has the form of a QR code that the person then scans with his or her mobile device to generate a shortcode. The person then types the code into the website or application and gains access. The shortcodes generated by the authenticator usually expire within some minutes or even seconds. If the code is expired a new code is generated right after so the user needs to type in the right code within some specific time limit (that’s where Time-Based comes from).
Flexibility. This type of Two-Factor Authentication is more convenient than SMS-based 2FA because it can be used across multiple devices and platforms. SMS-based 2FA is restricted to devices that can receive the message from the operator.
Easy Access. Mobile authenticators do not require a person to be connected to the network. They remember which accounts a person is trying to access and can generate a new one-time password at any time, even if they are not connected to the internet.
Dependent on devices. TOTP based 2FA requires the person to have a device that can read the QR code to verify their identity. If a device is lost, runs out of battery, or gets “desync-ed” from the service, a person will lose access to information forever.
Can be compromised. It’s possible for a cybercriminal to clone the secret key and generate his or her own secret codes.
Push-based 2FA is a slightly improved approach to SMS and TOTP based 2FA. Push-based 2FA adds additional layers of security by adding other factors of authentication that previous methods couldn’t.
Increased Phishing Protection. The previous two types of two-factor authentication are susceptible to phishing attacks, however push-based 2FA replaces text codes with push notifications which adds an extra layer of security and helps prevent phishing attacks. When a person attempts to access his or her data, a push notification is sent to that person’s mobile phone. The push notification includes various information including location, time, and IP address of the machine on which the login attempt took place. The person needs to physically confirm on his or her mobile device that the info is correct and therefore verify the authentication attempt.
Easy. Push-based 2FA streamlines the authentication process because there are no extra codes that a person needs to receive and then type in. If a person sees that the push notification carries the correct information, then he or she simply accepts that login attempt and pushes a button to confirm. Then the access is granted.
Connectivity requirement. Similar to SMS-based 2FA in a Push-based 2FA data network is still necessary because the push is sent to a mobile device through a network. Therefore a person needs to be connected to the internet in order to use this 2FA functionality.
Security Awareness. The person that receives Push-based notification needs to be security-aware to be able to recognize if the login pattern looks suspicious or not. When the person doesn’t pay attention to the received message he or she can approve the malicious request and confirm the false IP address or login location. This method has been compromised by an attack called MFA bombing or MFA fatigue.
U2F security keys use a physical USB port to verify the location and identity of a person that attempts to access some specific website or application. A user inserts the U2F key into his or her device and pushes the button located on the U2F device. Once the key is activated, the person needs to type the PIN code and successfully authenticates it within the website or the app
Phishing protection. Since there is an actual physical intervention required (a person needs to press, insert, and enter a code into the token), the U2F key protects a person’s device from being phished.
Backup devices and codes. U2F keys can and should be backed up across multiple devices. This allows a person to replace his or her token whenever the other one is lost or broken.
Easy. U2F keys require simply to be entered to the USB port and pushed at the specific moment so they do not require any technical knowledge or skills.
Physical object. As a physical key, the U2F based 2FA is susceptible to being lost or damaged. If a key is lost and there’s no backup U2F key, then the access to the website or application is lost.
Built by the FIDO Alliance (Fast IDentity Online) and W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), the Web Authentication API (also known as FIDO2) is a specification that enables strong, public-key cryptography registration and authentication. WebAuthn makes it possible to take laptops and smartphones with built-in biometric technology and use them as local authenticators in an online authentication process.
Convenient. Any website, application, or browser that supports the FIDO2 standard together with a built-in biometric authenticator like TouchID can be used to enable a strong authentication mechanism. The FIDO2 standard is globally used by hundreds of technology brands including Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and many more.
Phishing resistant. FIDO2 is one of the safest Two-Factor Authentication methods available on the market. FIDO2 allows websites and online applications to trust biometric authentication as a credential that is specific only to that service — this means no more shared secret and therefore they can’t be stolen and exploited.
Complex account recovery. FIDO2 based 2FA makes the recovery process more complicated compared to previous 2FA methods. In SMS, TOTP, and Push-based 2FA there’s some form of the account recovery process that a security admin within the company can initiate. In the case of FIDO2 based 2FA, this process is way more difficult because it is always tied to the identity of a specific person. That’s why it is recommended to combine FIDO2 authenticators and for example, use laptop or smartphone biometric authentication but also keep some registered FIDO2 security keys in a safe in case the main device will get stolen or will break.
Strong FIDO-based two-factor authentication is becoming more popular across many industries. The type of business niche is not really important; as long as a user is accessing a website or an application that stores valuable data, there’s necessary to protect credentials and secure the authentication process.
User Access Security Broker from Secfense addresses cybersecurity risks primarily in big and medium-sized companies. All industries can benefit from Secfense UASB as long as they use web applications with login-restricted access.
Cybercriminals often target the healthcare sector because, unlike the banking, insurance, and capital markets or e-commerce industry, the healthcare cybersecurity budget is much smaller, and cybersecurity is much weaker.
Additionally, healthcare employees are among the least security-aware when it comes to cyber risks. That makes them more likely to fall victim to phishing attacks and social engineering. Implementing effective security policies is crucial as it can reduce the risk of a data breach. And one of the most effective ways to improve cybersecurity across the board is through additional microauthorizations.
The financial services industry was one of the pioneers of two-factor authentication due to the much bigger risk of hacking attempts in this particular sector. There are also various local and international regulations that require banks to use strong 2FA in order to protect their customers and employees. Some examples of these regulations are the PSD2 directive (Payment Service Direct 2), GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), NIS2, or Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). Secfense designed microauthorizations to make the financial industry employee application journey almost untouched while at the same time substantially increasing the security level. Microauthorizations add additional authorization requirements within the application wherever it’s needed.
The digitalization trend is challenging government institutions to introduce changes to their infrastructure and slowly make a shift to cloud and mobile. Strong two-factor authentication increases the security of government institutions and allows them to step into a zero-trust security approach for both government officials as well as the citizens that access public sector applications. With such a great number of people using this technology, two step authentication needs to provide both security and ease of use.
The ecommerce sector is one of the industries that is tied by various security regulations and directives. The PSD2 is designed to create fair competition between the banking industry and modern payment service providers (PayPal, Google Wallet, Wepay, etc.). That means strong two-factor authentication for online purchases. E-commerce is the sector that has a lot to lose in case the security policies are not obliged due to GDPR regulation. In case of the breach, GDPR directive can lead e-commerce businesses to pay huge fines as compensation for not protecting well enough their customers’ private data.
Private schools and big universities became a popular target for phishing attacks and social engineering. More and more often cybercriminals attack organizations from the inside. In one of the cases of schools being compromised by data theft, it was a former IT official of the school who had been working for the institutions for many years.
These types of inside theft can be avoided with the use of microauthorizations from Secfense. This functionality makes it possible to stop the user when he or she reaches for some specific resources or wants to perform some specific actions in the protected application. Schools manage a big amount of sensitive user data such as financial status, health situation, etc. This data makes teaching institutions a great target for cyberattacks especially that (similarly to the healthcare industry), the security budget is usually very limited. Schools and universities usually reach for strong two-factor authentication to protect mobile devices and workstations of students and teachers. Protecting these devices with strong authentication mechanisms is usually the first step in order to maintain data security in educational institutions.
Due to the importance of functions that are relevant to the manufacturing sector, data on scale installations are needed. Two-factor authentication helps manufacturing companies have lingering operations through all applications and user accounts.
Securing company devices is securing the timely implementation of projects without security. Simple two-factor authentication helps the company to provide security also for device devices that want to access the service when we provide access to firewall services.
The infrastructure of large tech companies usually consists of hundreds or even thousands of applications. This makes many of them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Security departments must therefore ensure that all applications and access points are properly secured and protected against leakage of confidential data.
For large technology companies, Secfense has developed a solution that significantly improves the authentication security of all users, without the need to spend valuable programming resources on technology adoption. Thanks to the User Access Security Broker from Secfense, large technology companies can easily secure employees performing their duties in the office or at home and provide them with secure and effective authentication.
Security of client data is one of the key areas that organizations providing legal services must take care of. Secfense provides technology that allows law firms to focus on the essence of their business, freeing them from cybersecurity problems.
A number of directives and regulations oblige law firms and notary offices to ensure the privacy of their client’s data. User Access Security Broker by Secfense helps these types of companies easily and hassle-free to achieve security compliance and eliminate phishing threats.
Large energy companies usually have advanced technological infrastructure and many systems and applications that employees use on a daily basis. Hence, data security may be threatened by multiple cyberattack vectors.
User Access Security Broker by Secfense is a solution that enables energy and utility companies to leverage strong two-factor authentication for all employees on all applications they use.
All vendors and partners can also benefit from strong authentication.
User Access Security Broker by Secfense allows you to easily implement and scale strong two-factor authentication, allowing the security administrator in the company to decide which method will provide the most security and the greatest convenience.
Secfense enables airlines, hotels, travel companies and travel agents to secure access to employee and customer data and protect against identity theft and internet fraud.
The larger the travel and travel company, the greater the benefits Secfense offers.
Airlines, car rental companies, and hotels will gain the most, as the confidential user data they store most often become the focus of cybercriminals.
Loyalty programs that encourage customers to use systems and applications are gaining in popularity in the travel and travel industry. Increased customer internet activity increases the risk of an attack to steal data.
For organizations in the tourism and travel industry, it should therefore be important to ensure a high standard of data security and secure all access points through which a potential burglar may sneak into the company’s systems.
Social Engineering
Social engineering is when bad people use tricks to fool others into giving them important information or doing things they shouldn’t. They might pretend to be someone trustworthy or create fake websites to steal passwords or credit card details. FIDO2 is a special way to protect against these tricks. Instead of just using passwords, FIDO2 uses special devices or things like fingerprints to confirm it’s really you. This makes it really hard for the bad people to pretend to be someone else and get into your accounts. FIDO2 also makes sure you have to actively participate, like using your fingerprint or a special device, so automated tricks don’t work. With FIDO2, your important information stays safe and you won’t fall for the bad people’s tricks.