Top 10 MFA Providers for 2024

Published on
19/01/2024 09:48 AM
Best MFA providers solutions

Security is a critical concern for any business. Not only do today’s companies need to keep their data safe, but they need to prove to their customers that they can protect them too. 

Failure to deliver the right results in security and privacy could mean that you lose the trust of your target audience or end up with a fine from a regulatory body. 

This is where  MFA providers enter the game.

What is MFA? 

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security measure that adds an extra layer of protection to your online accounts, making it much harder for hackers to gain access. Instead of just relying on your password, MFA requires you to provide two or more pieces of evidence to verify your identity when you log in.

MFA is important because it makes it much harder for hackers to steal your information. Even if they manage to get your password, they won't be able to log in without your phone or your fingerprint.

When you try to log in to a website or application that uses MFA, you'll be prompted to enter your username and password as usual.

Then, you'll be asked to provide one or more additional factors. This could be entering a code that's sent to your phone, pressing a button on your security token, or scanning your fingerprint.

Once you've successfully entered all of the required factors, you'll be granted access.

What is an MFA provider?

MFA providers are companies that offer multi-factor authentication (MFA) solutions as a service. These solutions make it easier for individuals and organizations to implement and manage MFA for their accounts and applications.

MFA providers develop and maintain the software behind MFA. This software includes the authentication methods themselves (like one-time codes, push notifications, and biometric verification) as well as the administrative tools needed to manage users and settings.

They also need to ensure their solutions work seamlessly with the different websites and apps that users want to protect and provide support to users when they need it. This includes helping users set up and use MFA, as well as troubleshooting any problems they encounter.

Choosing an MFA Provider

Choosing the best MFA provider for your business can be a little overwhelming with so many options and MFA solutions available. 

Here are some key factors to consider when making your decision:

Security:

  • Supported MFA methods: Look for providers offering a variety of methods like one-time codes, push notifications, hardware tokens, biometrics, and more. Consider your needs and user preferences.
  • Compliance and certifications: Ensure the provider meets relevant security standards and regulations for your industry.
  • Threat detection and prevention: Choose a provider with advanced features like anomaly detection, risk-based authentication, and phishing protection.

Ease of use and integration:

  • User experience: Consider the ease of enrollment, setup, and usage for your users. Look for a user-friendly interface and intuitive workflows.
  • Platform and application integrations: Check if the provider integrates seamlessly with the platforms and applications you use most. Aim for a smooth user experience across different environments.
  • Administrative tools: Evaluate the provider's administrative tools for managing users, policies, and reports. Ensure it's easy to manage MFA for your organization.

Cost and scalability:

  • Pricing model: Choose a pricing model that fits your budget and user base. Consider per-user, per-authentication, or tiered pricing plans.
  • Scalability: Choose a provider that can grow with your needs. Consider their ability to accommodate increased user numbers and integrate with future technologies.

Top 10 MFA providers

There are a variety of MFA providers available today, each offering different features, solutions and functionalities to help users keep their accounts secure. 

Let’s explore some of the best MFA providers and solutions available today based on their ease of use, features, and methods for keeping user accounts secure. 

Auth0

One of the top MFA vendors on the market, Auth0 is a convenient and simple solution that helps businesses support and empower their teams. This platform provides an intuitive environment where companies can authorise, authenticate, and secure access to critical devices and applications. Already, the company boasts a range of high-level clients, including Atlassian, Mazda, the Economist, and many others. 

Auth0 is easy to implement into any business environment and comes with a range of customisation options to choose from. Companies can embed the Auth0 technology into their applications and websites to keep consumers secure too. 

PingOne MFA

Multi-factor authentication from Ping Identity gives business leaders the solution they need to reduce data breaches and security issues. The Ping system offers various identity management features, including single sign-on, directories, and multifactor authentication. Distributed through the cloud, the solution is quick and easy to access. You can also build your own integrations with the Ping API.

Focusing primarily on context-based adaptive authentication, Ping Identity strengthens security in any landscape, without reducing team productivity. Ping users can even leave passwords in the past, with things like mobile push confirmation, and QR codes instead. Building a secure and customisable MFA solution with Ping Identity is quick and easy.

Authy

Authy is a two-factor authentication solution created specifically for the smartphone era. The service includes a Rest API that developers can use to build MFA technology into their existing enterprise tools. Intuitive MFA experiences make Authy popular with companies from a range of backgrounds. The service works on a variety of devices and delivers helpful insights and reports over the cloud.

Customers love this solution because it’s convenient and quick to use. All you need to do is create a token to authenticate an identity and log into a service. Authy helps to prevent fraud and information breaches, and it can be convenient if you’re trying to implement 2FA across multiple aspects of your business operations.

LastPass

One of the better-known options for MFA technology, LastPass has taken the world by storm. With LastPass, you don’t just get MFA, you can also access a full identity and access management system where your employees can store and share information. LastPass supports business users in accessing accounts safely and securely, with biometric and contextual factors available.

You can use this service to streamline identity management for your business admins, improve password protection for employees, and even automate identity authentication across accounts. LastPass also benefits from being extremely easy to use, whether you’re a consumer or a business owner.

Google Authenticator

A convenient solution delivered through Google Cloud, Google Authenticator promises companies a lightweight and convenient way to protect user and company data. You can access everything from push notifications to Android and iOS device alerts. There’s phishing-resistant Titan Security Keys for those with higher security requirements, and Google’s FIDO keys have never been breached.

Google Authenticator is a fantastic choice for any business that’s already invested in the Google ecosystem for things like document sharing and productivity. Available through the cloud, the MFA solution also comes with reporting and analytics for business leaders.

RSA SecureID Access

Conveniently created for companies making the shift into the cloud, RSA SecureID Access is an enterprise-level solution for MFA and access management. This fantastic service gives administrators the power to enforce risk-driven policies for authentication across the organisation, with a range of authentication methods to choose from, including biometrics and push notifications.

RSA makes it easier for organisations to move users to new options for identity confirmation too. You can support legacy software and hardware tokens, while simultaneously accessing new opportunities through push notifications and third-party custom applications. There are plenty of policy adjustments and controls to customised based on your security needs too.

Okta

Innovators in digital transformation and security, Okta provides MFA for companies for all sizes. This simple solution secures access for all your business accounts, authenticating employees, customers, and partners alike. Okta’s service is secure and simple, with an intuitive admin portal that enforces MFA across the business landscape.

Okta prompts your users to verify their accounts based on contextual factors, and you can also use other identification methods, such as security questions, one-off passcodes, mobile apps, and biometric readings too. Okta is feature-rich and convenient. Unlike other services, it’s not entirely reliant on access to a smartphone, either.

IBM

IBM Security Verify is a comprehensive multi-factor authentication (MFA) solution that goes beyond simply adding a second layer of login security. The solution offers a flexible and scalable approach to identity and access management, protecting your organization from unauthorized access and evolving threats. You can Analyze user behaviour and context to dynamically adjust authentication requirements, requiring stronger factors for higher-risk situations.

IBM Security Verifiy provides a multi-layered defence strategy with strong encryption, advanced threat detection, and secure communication protocols. It also has a wide range of authentication factors, allowing you to choose from SMS, push notifications, one-time passcodes (OTPs) generated by mobile apps or hardware tokens, biometrics, and even passwordless options like QR code logins.

CrowdStrike

Crowdstrike’s Falcon Identity Protection is a cloud-based identity threat detection and prevention solution that can go beyond traditional MFA by comparing live traffic against behaviour baselines and policies to detect attacks and lateral movement in real time. It does this using behaviour analysis and threat intelligence, which identify suspicious activity and potential compromise attempts as well as a single sensor that can be deployed anywhere in the customer environment. It also adapts authentication requirements based on user context and potential risks, further securing your account from malicious actors.

Crowdstrike already has an extensive global threat intelligence network for real-time detection and proactive defence, and Falcon Identity Integrates seamlessly with other Falcon products for a unified security ecosystem. And with hyper-accurate detection of identity-based threats, the platform can stop modern attacks like ransomware in real time by leveraging the industry’s leading threat intelligence and enriched telemetry.

Cisco Secure Access by Duo 

Cisco’s Duo is a market leader in authentication and MFA and provides one of the best solutions on the market. Offering a range of options for companies that need to enable secure logins, Duo helps businesses minimise security risk. You can verify your identity through a mobile app, with “approve” or “deny” buttons, or you can access hardware tokens and mobile passcodes.

Unlike some MFA vendors, Duo is also experimenting with cutting-edge technology, like biometric screening for security. A user with Face ID on their smartphone could use their own image for multi-factor authentication. Duo also provides scalable solutions for companies of all sizes and a convenient dashboard that’s easy to use.