What is Azure AD Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?
Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security solution that requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to an application or service. It adds a crucial layer of security to your cloud and on-premises applications by ensuring that users are who they claim to be.
Why is MFA Important?
Passwords alone are not sufficient to protect against modern security threats. Stolen credentials, phishing attacks, and brute-force attacks can compromise user accounts. MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access by making it much harder for attackers to impersonate legitimate users.
How Azure AD MFA Works
When a user signs in with Azure AD MFA, they first enter their username and password (the first factor). Then, they are prompted to complete a second verification step using one of the following methods:
- Mobile App Notification: Approve a sign-in request directly from the Microsoft Authenticator app on their smartphone.
- Phone Call: Receive an automated phone call and press the # key to authenticate.
- Text Message (SMS): Receive a code via text message and enter it in the sign-in prompt.
- Authenticator App Code: Enter a time-based, one-time password (TOTP) generated by the authenticator app.
- Hardware Token (OATH): Use a physical OATH token to generate codes.
- Windows Hello for Business: Use biometric authentication or a PIN on a compatible device.
Key Benefits of Azure AD MFA
- Enhanced Security: Dramatically reduces the risk of account compromise.
- User-Friendly Options: Offers multiple authentication methods to suit user preferences and scenarios.
- Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Azure AD and thousands of cloud and on-premises applications.
- Conditional Access Policies: Allows you to enforce MFA based on specific conditions like location, device, or application.
- Compliance: Helps organizations meet regulatory and compliance requirements.
Getting Started
To implement Azure AD MFA, you typically need to:
- Have an Azure AD tenant.
- Configure MFA settings within the Azure AD portal.
- Enable MFA for users or groups, often through Conditional Access policies.
- Guide users through the registration process for their chosen authentication methods.
Explore the Setup and Configuration section for detailed steps on enabling and managing MFA for your organization.