Need indicators
This capability is usually relevant when these signals appear in the operating environment.
Password-only access.
Broad remote access.
Sensitive email or admin accounts.
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What is this solution?
MFA combines at least two independent proofs, such as knowing a PIN and possessing a device. The application or identity provider requests stronger verification based on the path's sensitivity and denies access if policy is unmet. Verification can protect sign-in or approve a sensitive action; successful login does not authorize every later transaction.
Multi-factor authentication uses independent authentication factors. When evaluating remote access MFA, test second-factor failure and account recovery.
Practical example
An employee signing in remotely supplies an additional factor. Security also tests rejection when verification fails and recovery when the device is lost.
Technical summary and scope of use
Technical explanation
Powerful multi-factor authentication technology is a security mechanism to verify the user’s identity using an additional factor alongside the user name and password, or by logging in without a password in some scenarios.
Supported checks include a trusted device, a one-time code, a push notification or an offline QR code. A fingerprint or facial recognition is a biometric factor; a PIN is a knowledge factor.
The technical objective is to reduce the dependence on passwords, increase the level of identity verification, and protect entries and transactions from unauthorized access.
This technology helps make your login safer and easier by adding an additional check-up layer or lacking your password in some cases.
Instead of relying on a username and password alone, users can verify their identity through a push notification, a one-time code, an offline QR code, or biometrics such as a fingerprint or facial recognition.
The solution reduces reliance on passwords alone, simplifies sign-in, and adds verification for applications, digital services and sensitive actions such as transaction approval.
Technical teams also help manage authentication paths, users and keys, and simplify the transition from old authentication solutions to more flexible verification mechanisms.
Scope of use
The technology is used in:
- Safe entry registration.
- Multi-factor authentication
- Certification without a password.
- Confirmation of Operations and Transactions
- Protection of remote access
- Protection of access to applications, services and interfaces
It works in web applications, ports, e-services, software interfaces, telephone apps, single-page apps, original telephone apps, VPN access and remote work environments.
What it delivers
Core capabilities that turn the requirement into practical controls.
Authentication options
Use cases and integrations
User and Key Management
Expected value
The impact security teams and leadership can expect from the right implementation.
Reduced account takeover
Higher login assurance
Better remote-access protection
Technical capabilities
Feature availability depends on product version, target systems, deployment, and integrations.
Authentication options
Verification without direct user interaction using information surrounding the user environment
Use context signals in the supported flow; test when explicit verification is needed instead of relying on context alone.
Certificate of Payment Notice to Register with One Click
Notify the team when a monitoring rule is met; set the threshold and escalation path.
Confirmation of transactions such as payments through push notification
Notify the team when a monitoring rule is met; set the threshold and escalation path.
QR code, even when the phone is not connected to the internet.
Transfer request data in a scannable form; test expiry and binding to the intended action.
Create a security code for one time changes every 30 seconds
Use verification appropriate to the action’s risk and reject expired codes or unenrolled factors.
Support of validation without a password
Replace password entry in the supported sign-in flow; test enrollment and revocation of a lost authenticator.
Replacing unsafe passwords with a checking mechanism with one click
Run repetitive steps under defined conditions and review failures and exceptions.
Supports knowledge, possession, and biometric factors
Use verification appropriate to the action’s risk and reject expired codes or unenrolled factors.
Use cases and integrations
Authentication integration for supported applications
Identify both integration endpoints and the data they exchange; verify behavior if either endpoint is unavailable.
Integration through REST API
Connect defined actions or data to other systems; review authorization, authentication, and failure handling.
Integration with Single Page Applications
Integrate verification into the single-page app journey and test session expiry and return routing.
Integration with original phone applications.
Test handoff between the native app and the verification flow, especially return and cancellation.
Support for web applications, portals, electronic services and interfaces
Identify both integration endpoints and the data they exchange; verify behavior if either endpoint is unavailable.
Single sign-on support
Reduce repeat sign-ins across integrated applications while retaining policy for sensitive actions.
User self-service for supported web applications
Identify both integration endpoints and the data they exchange; verify behavior if either endpoint is unavailable.
Risk-based step-up authentication
Require additional verification when session risk increases or the user initiates a sensitive action.
Supports additional authentication checks
Identify both integration endpoints and the data they exchange; verify behavior if either endpoint is unavailable.
Support of an interface for operations
Tie the approval prompt to transaction details so users can reject an unexpected request.
Support for self-service operations
Identify both integration endpoints and the data they exchange; verify behavior if either endpoint is unavailable.
User and Key Management
Management of Users
Associate users or groups with authorized scope and review how membership changes affect access.
Authentication method management
Associate users or groups with authorized scope and review how membership changes affect access.
Management of validation keys
Associate users or groups with authorized scope and review how membership changes affect access.
Secure enrollment of the authentication app for each user
Associate users or groups with authorized scope and review how membership changes affect access.
Activate the second factor.
Associate users or groups with authorized scope and review how membership changes affect access.
Self-transition to a new investigation factor
Associate users or groups with authorized scope and review how membership changes affect access.
Supports mixed-mode operation during migration
Test the existing and new authentication flows during migration, and define which users and applications move to the new flow.
Enable the user to change the phone without support office
Associate users or groups with authorized scope and review how membership changes affect access.
Provide a Web App for Support Office to support users
Associate users or groups with authorized scope and review how membership changes affect access.
Devices and platforms
Support for iOS systems
Identify a supported operating or managed platform; verify version, enrollment, and available policies.
Support for Android systems
Identify a supported operating or managed platform; verify version, enrollment, and available policies.
Get the application from the app store.
Choose an approved distribution channel and verify device compatibility and enrollment.
Support for Touch ID
Use built-in device biometrics where supported and review recovery settings.
Support for Face ID
Use built-in device biometrics where supported and review recovery settings.
Support of PIN
Provide local verification where supported and set retry, lockout, and recovery requirements.
Support the customization of visual sign within the application
Configure behavior for the use case and retain the approved configuration for review or rollback.
The possibility of providing a custom application with a custom experience and form
Choose an approved distribution channel and verify device compatibility and enrollment.
Provide SDK to integrate the authentication function within customer applications
Embed verification into the client application and test enrollment, connection failures, and recovery.
Providing a device code with screen and camera for users who do not use a smartphone
Provide an alternative to the phone or SMS path where supported; plan issuance and revocation.
Operations and performance
Use a cloud service to communicate with smartphones
Verify device type and OS compatibility with work policy before enrollment.
Reduce installation and preparation costs.
Confirm environment requirements, supported versions, and dependencies before moving the configuration to production.
Implementing maintenance and development of applications without affecting the operation of authentication
Confirm environment requirements, supported versions, and dependencies before moving the configuration to production.
Providing new jobs through applications
Confirm environment requirements, supported versions, and dependencies before moving the configuration to production.
The ability to adjust how and time new jobs are available separately
Confirm environment requirements, supported versions, and dependencies before moving the configuration to production.
Enterprise use
Support for VPN validation
Apply verification to the remote-access channel and limit who can use it and for which resources.
Supporting remote work.
Apply verification to the remote-access channel and limit who can use it and for which resources.
Improving the user experience for employees and customers
Compare representative workflows before and after rollout to measure manual effort and processing time.
Support for replacing old authentication solutions such as SMS codes or traditional codes
Provide an alternative to the phone or SMS path where supported; plan issuance and revocation.
How the technology works
multi-factor authentication
The technology adds a second checking factor next to traditional login data or replaces the password in specific scenarios.
Passwordless authentication
The technology reduces the dependence on passwords through a direct checking mechanism such as one-click or QR.
The temporary symbols.
The technology uses one-time verification code that changes every 30 seconds to authenticate without a connection.
Independent approval channels
The technology allows confirmation of transactions through a separate secure channel.
Programmatic integration
REST technology provides API and SDK to integrate authentication in web and phone applications.
Centralized administration
The technology manages users, authentication methods and keys from a custom management layer.
Self-service enrollment and migration
The technology allows users to register or move to the new factor on their own, with mixed running support.
Operational support
The technology provides an application for the support office to support users when needed.
Support for non-connection
The technology allows validation or transaction approval via QR or a temporary code even without phone connection to the Internet.
Institutional Access
Applied validation technology on VPN and access from home.
What to validate before rollout
- Choose the right factors rather than treating two prompts of the same factor type as MFA.
- Enforce the verification step for priority access paths and accounts.
- Verify denial and fallback behavior so exceptions do not become a bypass.
Integration and scope
Choose independent factors for the access risk and verify identity provider, application, and recovery support.
Challenges this solution addresses
- Not enough user name and password alone to defend against cyber attacks
- Depending on unsafe passwords.
- The need for strong authentication without complicating the user experience
- Difficulty Application Factor Check Second on Different Applications
- The need to confirm transactions through an independent and secure channel
- The need to log in works even when the phone is not connected to the Internet.
- Difficulty to transfer users to a new verification factor
- Some users rely on unintelligent devices.
- Need for remote access support such as a VPN and remote work
- High operational effort in the management of authentication, its methods and keys
- The need to integrate authentication within modern applications and software interfaces
- The need to support self-service and reduce dependence on the support office
Regulatory alignment
Illustrative ways to support control implementation. An area may have more than one example; each row is not necessarily a separate official control.
NCA · ECC 2:2024For entities within the scope of the Essential Cybersecurity Controls.
| Domain or control | How it supports implementation | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and access management | Supports multi-factor authentication and the choice of appropriate verification factors for remote access and sensitive accounts Related capability: Multi-factor authentication, one-time codes, push notifications, QR codes, and biometrics | Applied |
| Protection of email and access via the web | Support multi-factor authentication for access through digital channels Related capability: Multi-factor authentication, passwordless authentication | Applied |
| Protection of Web Applications | Supports user authentication and identify verification factors according to the risk of failure or overcoming authentication Related capability: REST APIs, SDK package, passwordless authentication, one-touch authentication | Applied |
| Remote Access Management | Support access to virtual private networks and remote work using powerful multi-factor authentication Related capability: Validate virtual private networks and remote work | Applied |
| Protection of data and information | Reducing the password dependence reduces the risks of unauthorized access Related capability: Password-free validation, multi-factor authentication | Applied |
| compliance and audit | Supports multi-factor authentication requirements within ID and Access Management Settings or logs can help prepare evidence. Governance decisions and effectiveness testing remain with the organization. Related capability: Multi-factor authentication | Applied |
SAMA · CSFFor financial institutions within the Saudi Central Bank framework, subject to the control's applicability.
| Domain or control | How it supports implementation | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and access management | The technology supports restriction of access to systems and services through multi-factor authentication instead of relying only on the user name and password Related capability: Multi-factor authentication, one-time codes, push notifications, QR codes, and biometrics | Applied |
| Management of Privileges and Powers | Supports strong validation requirements for sensitive accounts and high-risk access through additional verification factors Related capability: Multi-factor authentication, passwordless authentication, possession factor, biometric factor | Applied |
| Protection of remote access | Supports corporate remote access protection such as VPN and remote work through powerful multi-factor authentication Related capability: VPN authentication, home work authentication, push notifications, verification codes | Applied |
| Protection of sensitive financial systems | Supports confirmation of transactions and transactions through an independent verification channel, helping to protect high-risk financial transactions Related capability: transaction approval, push notifications, offline QR code, multi-factor authentication | Applied |
| Electronic Banking Services | Supports multi-factor authentication use when logging, confirming operations, and high-risk operations Related capability: Multi-factor authentication, transaction approval, passwordless authentication, temporary codes | Applied |
| Protection of applications | Supports powerful authentication integration within web, telephone and single-page applications through software integration interfaces Related capability: REST API, SDK, Phone Applications, Web Applications | Applied |
| Protection of Customer Data and Transactions | Reduce the risks of unauthorized access to customer data and transactions through additional user identity verification Related capability: Multi-factor authentication, biometric measurements, one-time verification code | Applied |
| Operational Security | Supports authentication method management, users and keys centrally to help adjust the authentication mechanisms Related capability: User management, authentication methods management, authentication keys management | Applied |
| Risk Management | It helps to reduce the risk of weak authentication and unsafe passwords by replacing or enhancing them with additional verification factors. Settings or logs can help prepare evidence. Governance decisions and effectiveness testing remain with the organization. Related capability: Passwordless authentication, multi-factor authentication, possession factor, biometric factor | Applied |
| compliance and audit | Application supports multi-factor authentication requirements required for access to electronic services and sensitive systems Settings or logs can help prepare evidence. Governance decisions and effectiveness testing remain with the organization. Related capability: Multi-factor authentication, temporary codes, push notifications, automatic codes | Applied |
NCA · OTCC-1:2022For operational technology and industrial control environments to which the controls apply.
Evaluate these examples against the facility level and assets in scope. They do not authorize IT/OT connectivity or component installation on operational assets without assessment.
| Domain or control | How it supports implementation | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Access control | Support access restriction using powerful multi-factor authentication Use only authorized paths and assets. Network isolation and remote-access approval requirements still apply. Related capability: Multi-factor authentication, one-touch authentication, one-time verification code, QR code | Applied |
| Access from distance. | Supports remote access through multi-factor authentication to access virtual private networks and remote work Use only authorized paths and assets. Network isolation and remote-access approval requirements still apply. Related capability: multi-factor authentication for remote access | Applied |
| Identity and access management | Supports the use of multiple verification factors instead of relying only on a password Use only authorized paths and assets. Network isolation and remote-access approval requirements still apply. Related capability: Passwordless authentication, biometric measurements, one-time verification code | Applied |
| Protection of operating environments | It can be used as a verification mechanism for access to related services and systems. Related capability: Multi-factor authentication as an additional verification class | Applied |
“Applied” describes the capability in the illustrative example, not an implementation or compliance status for the customer.
Decision questions
Questions before you start
How do we know this solution is right for us?
Start with the risk signals on this page. If they match your environment, they can be turned into a short assessment that defines scope, priority, and a practical implementation approach.
How do we start without adding operational complexity?
Start with a focused risk and scope assessment, then define implementation priorities, technical requirements, and phased rollout steps.
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