
As remote and hybrid workforces continue to expand, every organization is looking to protect their employees online using VPN. For enterprise-grade security, VPNs with just a username and password are not enough, which calls for a need for another layer, such as 2FA or two-factor authentication, to effectively safeguard your VPN.

A VPN is a high-value target and a secure tunnel into your network. An attacker can breach the perimeter and gain access to sensitive systems, files, and sets of active credentials. If your VPN credentials are compromised, it acts like a single entry point, and a hacker can fake a real user to move in your network and go undetected. Thus, organizations are enhancing their security by adding an additional 2FA layer to their traditional VPN credentials.

In this article, discuss the need for VPN protection, how to implement 2FA for popular VPNs like Fortinet, and various methods of using 2FA to secure your VPN. Also, it covers how [miniOrange 2FA](https://www.miniorange.com/products/two-factor-authentication-(2fa)) can protect your VPN with its strong security features.

## Why Do Organizations Rely on VPNs? {#Why Do Organizations Rely on VPNs?}

VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) set up a secure connection and safely encrypt information and access to a company’s system. Most organizations would not be able to implement remote work without VPN functionality; organizations commonly rely on VPNs for:

- Locking up sensitive information when staff work remotely
- Enabling access to enterprise applications from anywhere
- Providing an extra level of security to limit information being read by adversaries eavesdropping or acting on cyber threats from outside the organization.

As hybrid work is how many workplaces function, VPN access from anywhere is highly recommended for enterprise security, but relying solely on VPNs can create risk. In fact, [over 80% of breaches in 2024](https://gitnux.org/password-hacking-statistics/) were associated with having password(s) that are stolen or weak, and VPN access is an excellent target. Organizations depend on strong controls like 2FA to close the gap.

## Are VPNs Really Secure on Their Own? {#Are VPNs Really Secure on Their Own?}
VPNs encrypt traffic but cannot verify user identity on their own. They represent an important component in protecting against attacks, but they leave important gaps that are not only well-known but are also commonly exploited by attackers. Common risks are:

- **Password theft and reuse:** Phished, weak or reused passwords are the preferred method of entry by a hacker
- **Stolen VPN keys or certificates:** Once stolen, they offer a solution to bypass every different encryption control in that key or certificate
- **Misconfigured VPN policies:** Setup issues offers a way in to an organizational network
- **Credential stuffing:** Automated bot phenomenon is always attempting to use password lists against any VPNs logins

Typically, hackers make compromised credentials their first entry point and later infiltrate the entire channel to conduct sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks. VPNs protect communication in transit, but any attempt to protect identity only succeeds with many more layers of protection, including, but not limited to, 2FA.

## How Does Two-Factor Authentication Help Increase Your VPN Security? {#How Does Two-Factor Authentication Help Increase Your VPN Security?}

2FA provides a much-needed second layer of verification beyond username and password. Users will authenticate their identity after they have provided their credentials by validating who they are through something they have (smartphone, OTP, hardware token) or something they are (biometric) and that increases VPN security.

Here are three ways 2FA for VPN can provide:

### 1\. Improved User Verification:

2FA identifies not only who logged in but also how they can prove who they are to log in:


- The first factor is a password, which is something the user knows.
- The second factor is either something the user has (smartphone app, OTP code, or hardware token) or is (biometric fingerprint or facial recognition).

This prevents someone from being able to access the VPN just because they have a said username and password because now they require physical or biometric authentication as well.

### 2\. Protection Against Advanced Attack Methods:

Most cyberattacks targeting the VPN exploit weak passwords, reused passwords, or phished passwords. With 2FA, stopping hacking attempts becomes easy if you:

Require an OTP or confirmation through a push notification app; this feature essentially makes automated "credential stuffing" (i.e., trying as many username and password combinations until finding one that works) and brute force attacks difficult if not useless.

It stops an adversary even if they acquire the credentials because they now lack the second factor, which can block their login attempt based on time (i.e. when the code is issued from the authenticator app), by the device (i.e., the code is only generated from the authorized device), or by biometrics (i.e. fingerprints or facial).

2FA mitigates threats from phishing, keyloggers, or [man-in-the-middle attacks](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-man-in-the-middle-attack/), with 2FA codes being valid for very limited times (i.e., usually 30 seconds to 1 minute), so the reuse of those codes quickly diminishes in likelihood.

### 3\. Flexibility for Different Environments

2FA is flexible and configurable depending on the enterprise context.

For remote work scenarios, staff can now authenticate their identity safely from anywhere while not exposing the organization to identity theft through weak password habits.

2FA can also be delivered through SMS, apps, email, hardware keys, or biometrics, meaning there is a delivery mechanism for nearly every type of user group and device type, and it always improves security without necessarily eroding usability.

## Benefits of 2FA for VPN {#Benefits of 2FA for VPN}

![Benefits of 2FA for VPN](/blog/assets/2025/benefits-of-2fa-for-vpn.webp)

In the past two years, almost half of organizations (48%) made headlines in the context of a VPN-related breach, with hackers taking advantage of stolen credentials and VPN weaknesses to bypass VPN security and gain unauthorized access. While there is no way to stop every breach, the above data shows how critical 2FA is to improving your VPN security.

As we mentioned, 2FA is a second layer of defense that will improve your VPN access communicatively, making it more secure and stronger. We have outlined major 2FA advantages that help you add security to your VPN's first line of defense:

**1\. Blocks unverified login attempts and access even when password is exposed to hackers**

2FA provides a second verification step for authentication, which means stolen passwords alone won’t give hackers access. Because of the additional verification, hackers can’t just log into your VPN simply using the username and password.

**2\. Minimizes Insider access threats by providing stronger identity checks**

Because 2FA requires [multi-factor authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) verification, it reduces the chance of unauthorized insiders using their authorization, either intentionally or through company negligence. Therefore, 2FA improves internal controls for security.

**3\. Helps your organization be compliant at all times to compliance standards like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, NIST and ISO 27001**

Many compliance requirements require strong [authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/products/authentication). By providing 2FA for VPN access, organizations can easily comply with these cybersecurity controls listed by bodies.

**4\. Reduces phishing and brute-force threats**

If shortcuts are taken either by phishing or by brute force, attackers cannot complete the login if they do not have the second form of authentication.

**5\. Provides visibility and control on who is Logging in remotely**

A 2FA solution will often offer monitoring and logs and reports on who is accessing your VPN. With the strong reliance on VPN access, leveraging 2FA solutions gives a security team insight into all your organization’s VPN access activity and can alert a security team of suspicious or unauthorized access attempts.

2FA is more than a way to improve your security posture; it is an investment to keep your business running securely, build trust with employees and clients, and protect your most critical digital infrastructure from emerging cyber threats

## How to Achieve Security of Your VPN with 2FA? {#How to Achieve Security of Your VPN with 2FA?}

Here's how Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) really works to supplement your VPN security:

1. First, the user authenticates to the VPN with a username and password
2. The VPN server authenticates the user with an [Identity Provider (IdP)](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-an-identity-provider-idp/) or authentication provider like miniOrange
3. Once authenticated, the user is challenged with a second factor verification, like a one-time password (OTP), [push verification](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/push-notification/), hardware token, or biometrics
4. Once the second factor verification is successful, the user is granted access to the VPN

Using this method means only authorized users can access VPN; even in case of compromise of their password, they still cannot gain remote VPN access, which substantially lowers the ability to gain unauthorized access and to breach your data.

## How Does miniOrange Strengthen the Security of Your VPN? {#How Does miniOrange Strengthen the Security of Your VPN?}

miniOrange enhances security on the VPN level by serving as an [authentication broker](https://www.miniorange.com/products/identity-broker-service) between your VPN solution and your identity store, making sure only the right users, at the right devices, at the right time can access your corporate network.


miniOrange will allow you to:

- Enforce [MFA for every VPN](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/solutions/vpn-mfa-multi-factor-authentication) log in - whether SSL VPN, IPsec VPN, client-based, or clientless.
- Integrate with on-prem Active Directory, LDAP and cloud identity providers.
- Establish one unified security layer over VPN vendors like Fortinet, [Cisco](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/cisco-any-connect-mfa-2fa-solution), [Palo Alto](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/integrations/palo-alto-global-protect-two-factor-authentication-2fa), [SonicWall](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/integrations/sonicwall-multi-factor-authentication-mfa) and [CheckPoint](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/integrations/checkpoint-vpn-multi-factor-authentication-mfa).
- Deploy [adaptive MFA](https://www.miniorange.com/products/adaptive-multi-factor-authentication-mfa) policy based on location, device, time or risk factors.
- Meet audit requirements and regulatory compliance without hassle.

miniOrange helps you reduce the risks associated with weak passwords. It stops unauthorized logins and protects your critical systems from intrusions and cyber threats with 2FA at your VPN's core.

## miniOrange 2FA for Fortinet FortiGate Login {#miniOrange 2FA for Fortinet FortiGate Login}

Fortinet’s FortiGate VPNs are already providing secure remote access to thousands of enterprises around the world. By integrating miniOrange, you can quickly and easily add [2FA software](https://www.miniorange.com/products/two-factor-authentication-(2fa)) protection to every user login to [Fortinet’s FortiGate VPNs](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/integrations/fortinet-multi-factor-authentication-mfa), protecting you from stolen credentials and [brute-force attacks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oenczWKCaU).

![miniOrange 2FA for Fortinet FortiGate Login](/blog/assets/2025/miniorange-2fa-for-fortinet-fortigate-login.webp)

With miniOrange, you can enforce 2FA on logs of all three access points:

- SSL VPN Web Portal logins
- FortiGate admin panel access
- FortiClient VPN

Every user who logs in triggers a second-factor challenge ([One Time Passwords](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-a-one-time-password-otp/), mobile push, or [biometric authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-biometric-authentication/)), making it impossible to use the stolen password alone. This way only authenticated individuals have access and your staff has an effortless, painless login.

Running miniOrange 2FA above Fortinet FortiGate closes the gaps left by allowing password-only logins to build stronger, compliant, and future-ready access control.

## 2FA/MFA Methods for Fortinet FortiGate Supported by miniOrange {#2FA/MFA Methods for Fortinet FortiGate Supported by miniOrange}

miniOrange supplies 2FA for organizations relying on Fortinet [FortiGate VPNs](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/integrations/fortinet-fortigate-ssl-vpn-two-factor-authentication-2fa) for strong authentication. This helps your organization balance your security, usability, and cost. Your users experience seamless, frictionless access, while you maintain a fortress-like defense against unauthorized logins.

Here are the 2FA/MFA options for Fortinet using miniOrange:

- **Mobile & app-based —** Push notifications, [authenticator applications](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/authenticator-application/), QR code logins, and TOTP codes.
- **Hardware tokens —** Secure OTP tokens, YubiKeys, and other [FIDO2](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/fido2/) keys for a physically-anchored assurance.
- **Biometrics —** Finger print or Face ID using the miniOrange mobile app.
- **SMS/Email OTPs (one-time passcodes) —** OTPs are discretely delivered to recipient phones or inboxes.
- **Voice call verification —** Automated voice calls delivering login codes.
- **[**Adaptive MFA**](https://www.miniorange.com/products/adaptive-multi-factor-authentication-mfa) —** Risk-based challenges triggered by unusual login habits (new device, odd location for user, or suspicious time of the day).

As stated, miniOrange offers a comprehensive mix of authentication methods, which means organizations can increase the security of their FortiGate VPN without degrading user experience. You choose the best method for your teams—all while remaining compliant and able to continue staffing resilience against active threats.

## Getting Started with your VPN Security using 2FA {#Getting Started with your VPN Security using 2FA}

Protecting remote access and sensitive data consists of more than just a VPN. To create protection during this increasing cybersecurity threat environment, you need to supplement your password with strong authentication breaches from stolen credentials that can wreak havoc on your organization. miniOrange can augment identity verifications on any VPN, even Fortinet, with adaptive multi-factor authentication and actionable compliance monitoring without sacrificing user experience.

Want to plug the leakages in your VPN security? Reach out today or take a [free trial](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/solutions/vpn-mfa-multi-factor-authentication#vpn-pricing) to see how [miniOrange](https://www.miniorange.com/) can enhance access security, eliminate internal credential theft, and future-proof the VPN structure you have in place.

Give your VPN the 2FA advantage with miniOrange. [Schedule a meeting with us today](https://www.miniorange.com/contact)

## FAQs {#FAQs}

### What value does two-factor authentication bring to your VPN?

2FA sets up an extra security layer for VPN access by mandating a second factor besides passwords. This extra layer makes your account much more impenetrable and helps reduce unauthorized access and data breaches.

### Can 2FA stop hackers from accessing a VPN if they have stolen my password?

Yes. Even if a hacker has stolen a password, they cannot log into the VPN without the second factor (such as OTT, or push approval). Many credential thefts rarely consist of attacks such as "SIM swapping." 2FA will block the bulk of these attacks.

### What 2FA methods work best for VPNs such as Fortinet FortiGate?

The best 2FA methods are push notifications, OTPs from authenticator apps, hardware tokens, or email codes. Push notification-based 2FA offers the most balanced secure capability with user convenience.

### How does miniOrange add 2FA to existing VPN solutions?

miniOrange integrates as a RADIUS server and does two things: it validates your existing password against a directory of some sort (Active Directory is popular) and adds a second factor to complete the log in (OTP, Push, or Hardware Token), and the VPN partner (Fortinet, Cisco, Palo Alto, etc.) can all be audited, and numerous directory types are supported.

### Will adding 2FA to a VPN have an adverse effect and impact complexity for users?

2FA adds an extra step; however, the contemporary methods of verification (push, choice, OTP), keep this process simple. With communication, and possibly training for your team, the resistance from the user shown be minimal and added security will not be compromised.


Two-factor authentication, 2FA, helps you protect your VPN account much better than just a traditional login with credentials. Rethink your VPN security to safeguard every bit of data.

How to Secure Your VPN Using Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?

Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, can block 99.9% of account compromise attacks, as per a study done by Microsoft, and hence, it is one of the MFA requirements for cyber insurance. It is the factor that makes or breaks your insurance claim, and it must be operative at all times. Preventing has always been better than acting upon damage already done. The severe consequences of not enabling MFA for your organization’s login systems are known to the insurers, and they help you cover any further financial losses occurring. 

In this article we cover the importance of MFA for cyber insurance and dive deep into how [**miniOrange**](https://www.miniorange.com/) MFA can help for your cyber insurance benefits.

## What is Cyber Insurance? {#What is Cyber Insurance?}

Cyber insurance is a type of insurance that helps businesses deal with the financial impact of cyberattacks such as ransomware, phishing, data theft, or service disruptions. In the past, it was mostly sold as a backup plan to cover costs after an attack. Today, it has become an important way to actively manage cyber risks and prepare before anything goes wrong.

Because of the rising number of cyber claims, insurers are now much stricter when evaluating risk. One of the biggest changes is the role of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). What was once just a recommended best practice is now a mandatory requirement for coverage and renewals. If MFA is not in place, a claim may even be rejected, no matter how much the policyholder has paid. This is why MFA is now seen as an essential part of both cyber insurance and overall business protection.



### Why is MFA Now Mandatory? 

Weak or stolen passwords remain the easiest way attackers break in. Studies show MFA can block over 99% of automated account takeovers, making it one of the most effective defenses. Learn more about [why MFA is important](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/why-is-mfa-important/) for strengthening your organization’s security.

That’s why insurers now expect MFA for critical systems like email, VPNs, SaaS apps, and privileged accounts. Without it, organizations face higher premiums, compliance risks, and greater exposure to cyberattacks.

In short, MFA is no longer optional. It is the digital equivalent of locking your doors, protecting your business while also meeting insurer and regulatory requirements.
  
## Why MFA Is Critical for Cyber Insurance Policies {#Why MFA Is Critical for Cyber Insurance Policies}

Cyber insurers have shifted from recommending [Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-multi-factor-authentication-mfa/) to requiring it as a baseline standard. The reason is simple: most breaches involve stolen or weak credentials, often through phishing, brute force, or data leaks on the dark web.  

MFA adds a vital second step to every login and is proven to block over 99% of automated account takeover attempts. For insurers, this single control dramatically reduces the likelihood of a claim. It is now treated as essential as locking the front door of a property before applying for insurance. Renewal forms now commonly ask: Do you enforce MFA on all admin, remote access, and email accounts? A “no” answer can mean higher premiums or even denial of coverage.  

For organizations, MFA is not only about satisfying insurers. It safeguards customer trust, reduces downtime, and strengthens overall security. The best approach is to begin with privileged and high-risk accounts and expand across the business. Documenting your MFA policies and providing evidence of enforcement also helps speed up underwriting and claims processing.  

In short, MFA protects twice. It shields your organization from attacks, and it ensures your cyber insurance will work as intended if an incident does occur.  

**Discover Why** [**MFA is Essential for Banks and Financial Institutions**](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/why-mfa-for-banks-and-financial-institutions/)

## Benefits of MFA Security for Cyber Insurance {#Benefits of MFA Security for Cyber Insurance}

![Benefits of MFA Security for Cyber Insurance](/blog/assets/2025/benefits-of-mfa-security.webp)

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) doesn’t just boost your security. It strengthens your cyber insurance position in ways that directly impact costs, compliance, and risk.

### Lowers Insurance Costs (Premiums) and Reduces Risk

Insurers reward organizations that can show they have security controls in place, and MFA is one of the highest-impact controls you can employ. By demonstrating you have made a substantial reduction in your organization's potential for credential-based breaches, you'll be able to enjoy lower premiums, improve your cyber risk rating, and impact your bottom line directly.

### Makes You Eligible for Coverage

Many insurance companies now require MFA before they will issue or renew cyber policies.  If you employ MFA for all user levels, especially for privileged and remote access, it indicates that you satisfy the basic underwriting standards.  This not only makes sure you qualify for higher coverage limits and better terms, but it also stops policy exclusions that have to do with credential-based assaults.

### Helps for Compliance with Regulatory and Policy Norms

Numerous data protection laws, industry frameworks, and (increasingly) insurance policies require MFA for privileged access and remote entry. Enforcing MFA provides a clear auditable record to rely on for underwriting reviews and compliance audits to support your compliance effort.

### Prevents Breaches Before They Happen

The vast majority of cyber incidents start with stolen or guessed passwords, and MFA would stop them before any escalation. By implementing a second form of verification, you can decrease the probability of a breach and protect the uninterrupted operation of your organization, as well as have a safety net of insurance to help recover from a loss event.

### Fast Incident Detection, Response and Recovery

MFA systems make thorough logs of authentication attempts and send out notifications in real time for unusual login attempts, like failed codes, out-of-band verifications, or logins from strange places.  When you connect these signals to your SIEM or incident response platform, they enable your security team to find and stop threats in only a few minutes.  Faster detection and automatic containment lower dwell time, limit financial exposure, and speed up the claims procedure if something does happen.

### Less Damage Means Fewer Risks and Less Costly Claims

By combining excellent MFA practices with your insurance, you are not only protecting your firm from risks today but also the financial safety net that keeps it strong.

By pairing strong MFA practices with your policy, you’re not only defending against today’s threats but also protecting the financial safety net that keeps your business resilient.

## MFA Requirements for Cyber Insurance Providers {#MFA Requirements for Cyber Insurance Providers}

Cyber insurers went from considering Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) an optional measure to making MFA a hard requirement to help mitigate claim risks and increase your eligibility.

- **Privileged Accounts** - There must be MFA on all varieties of accounts that have administrative, domain, and system-level access to prevent serious attacks against credentials.
- **Remote Access Points** - MFA must be applied to VPN, [RDP](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/solutions/remote-desktop-mfa) and other remote network entry points to help prevent unauthorized login attempts from outside the corporate perimeter.
- **Cloud Services and Email** - MFA must be required on services including Microsoft 365, [Google Workspace](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/integrations/google-workspace-sso) and any other cloud software that holds sensitive data or communications.
- **Third-Party Vendor Access**- MFA must sometimes be in place for contractors, Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and other partners that may have access to any network or data to mitigate supply chain risk.
- **Full Enforcement Evidence** - Cyber insurers may ask for screenshots of the settings from the policy settings or audit logs to confirm MFA was enforced across all relevant accounts.
- **Acceptable [**MFA Authentication methods**](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa-methods) to use** - Be specific about what secure methods technology and people can use, including authenticator apps, hardware tokens, and biometrics, and the insurer can deny a policy when using choices that were considered weak, such as SMS.
- **No MFA enforcement Consequences** - An insurer can choose to have a higher premium, exclude certain types of claims in relation to coverage, or deny coverage related to any credential being compromised with no MFA policy enforced.
Meeting MFA normalizations not only meets your provider's conditions, but it ultimately enhances your protections, protects you against higher premium costs, and enables your policy to pay out in times you need it most.

## Choosing the Right MFA Method for Cyber Insurance {#Choosing the Right MFA Method for Cyber Insurance}

Cyber insurers are expecting more MFA that is secure and demonstrably enforced. Although some insurers may still accept SMS codes likely for limited use cases like customer portal access, MFA is increasingly developing toward [phishing-resistant methods](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-phishing-resistant-mfa/), which both reduce account takeover risk and meet underwriting requirements.

MFA methods to consider:

- **Hardware Security Keys ([**FIDO2**](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/fido2/), YubiKey)** - Provides the highest protection against phishing and is often viewed by insurers most positively.
- **[**Authenticator Apps**](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/authenticator-application/) (Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator)** - Provides good security while still being easy to use.
- [**Biometric authentication**](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/types-of-biometric-authentication/) - Requires little to no effort from users on supported workflows. Still refer to using another factor for multi‑factor authentication.
- **SMS or Email OTPs** - Everybody understands [SMS and email OTPs](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-a-one-time-password-otp/). However, this method is discouraged by lots of providers who do not allow SMS codes and email codes since it can be intercepted, or if using SMS, SIM swap can be exploited.

Choose your method that balances security strength, user adoption, and compliance with your policy. Remember to roll out high‑risk accounts, document your rollout (good for audit), and ensure that it's aligned with your insurers' requirements and security best practices. These steps will both increase coverage eligibility and limit exposure to breaches.

## Cyber Insurance MFA Checklist (Practical Guide) {#Cyber Insurance MFA Checklist (Practical Guide)}

Use this checklist to ensure your MFA program meets common cyber insurance stipulations - this will help you demonstrate compliance and lower underwriting risks.

### Policy and Scope

- MFA is required for all remote network access (e.g., [VPN MFA](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/solutions/vpn-mfa-multi-factor-authentication), RDP, cloud apps).
- Applied to all privileged accounts (admins, super users, IT), and
- Applied to all users with access to sensitive or regulated data.

### Method of Authentication

At least two of the following:

- Something you know (password or PIN),
- Something you have (authenticator app or hardware token, smart card), and
- Something you are (fingerprint, face ID)

Try to avoid SMS codes as your only second factor - this is usually seen as a red flag by insurers. Newer and stronger methods like [context-based authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/5-reasons-to-deploy-context-based-authentication-for-your-organization/) based on the user's behavior are seen as more authentic.

### Standards for Implementation

- MFA with SSO so that you can consistently enforce,
- [Adaptive MFA](https://www.miniorange.com/products/adaptive-multi-factor-authentication-mfa), which asks for MFA based on risk (e.g. device, geo-location, time anomalies), and
- Central repository for logging MFA events so that you can show you are audit-ready.

### Usability and Coverage

- Implementation covers on-premises and cloud applications.
- Applied to both desktop and mobile access, and
- A relevant process for fallback account recovery and guidelines so that users do not work around MFA controls.

### Evidence and Documentation

- Have an updated written MFA policy with whatever the items are that your insurer requested
- Document and retain screenshots or configuration exports that are indicative of your MFA enforcement and
- Document your process for handling exceptions for granting pre-approved non-MFA accounts.

*"**Pro Tip:** Use the checklist in concert with a miniOrange deployment diagram that identifies your applications that have MFA enabled; the combination will help produce quicker and more efficient insurer audits identifying your proactive security posture."*

## How miniOrange Helps Businesses Meet MFA Insurance Requirements {#How miniOrange Helps Businesses Meet MFA Insurance Requirements}

Meeting MFA requirements to be eligible for cyber insurance is no longer optional; it is a key component in eligibility and premium negotiations. miniOrange provides organizations with [MFA solutions](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/solutions/multi-factor-authentication-mfa-solutions) that align with insurers' expectations to allow businesses to provide evidence of compliance with their policy requirements. This reduces underwriting risk exposure, presents evidence of credibility for claims and provides businesses with more leverage when renewing policies or negotiating.

miniOrange platform provides a variety of MFA methods, such as [adaptive authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-adaptive-authentication/), biometrics, and SSO, at a tailored [pricing](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/pricing) based on your company’s requirements. It allows organizations to easily deploy security for different users or devices. miniOrange aims to minimize operational friction for its clients, allowing organizations to provide security updates without impacting operational efficiency. This approach provides organizations with a layer of protection for sensitive data while also maintaining compliance with evolving criteria from insurers with minimal operational disruption.

By implementing miniOrange [MFA software](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa), organizations are provided a robust security model, along with demonstrable compliance benefits. Organizations will be capable of meeting current cyber insurance requirements and rapidly adapting to future changes to policy language while supporting long-term resilience and risk mitigation. For insurers, this reflects a proactive security culture - which builds trust, minimizes claims exposure, and can even translate to financial benefits for the organization insuring their risk. [Contact miniOrange](https://www.miniorange.com/contact) to learn how we can help you comply with cyber insurance MFA requirements.

## Future of Cyber Insurance MFA with miniOrange {#Future of Cyber Insurance MFA with miniOrange}

The future of cyber insurance is clear: Multi-Factor Authentication is no longer optional, it is essential. Insurers now expect organizations to prove they have strong authentication in place before granting or renewing coverage.  

This is where miniOrange makes a difference. Our MFA solutions are simple for employees, flexible for IT teams, and strong enough to meet the toughest insurer requirements. By combining ease of use with advanced features like biometrics and adaptive checks, we help organizations strike the right balance between security and productivity.  

With miniOrange, MFA becomes more than a compliance checkbox. It strengthens your defenses, reduces risk, and even helps you secure better insurance coverage with lower premiums. In other words, it protects your business twice: by preventing breaches and by ensuring your insurance coverage is there when you need it. 

miniOrange makes it easier to manage your factor authentication for cyber insurance, taking care of all the complexity so you can focus on what matters. Opt for an [IAM free trial](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/free-trial) today.

## FAQs {#FAQs}

### Can you get cyber insurance without MFA?

Most insurance carriers today require multi-factor authentication (MFA) to issue or renew cyber insurance. If you don't have an MFA, coverage may be denied or partially denied, and the premium is generally much higher due to the level of risk involved.

### What MFA methods satisfy insurance providers?

Insurers usually accept the following MFA methods, such as authenticator applications (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, and others), biometrics (fingerprint or facial), hardware tokens (USB or smart card), and push notifications received on a registered, secure device.

### Does MFA reduce cyber insurance costs?

Yes, using MFA lowers the risk of a cyber incident and fewer claims, which helps with the insurance premiums and gives opportunities with the terms of the policy.

### Is SMS-based MFA enough for cyber insurance?

SMS MFA may satisfy some insurers; however, many may prefer stronger and phishing-resistant MFA methods (i.e., authenticator applications, hardware tokens, biometrics) because of the inherent weaknesses of SMS.



Cyber insurance needs phishing-resistant MFA. It stops credential theft and unauthorized access and keeps your business operational and compliant with insurers' security norms.

MFA Requirements for Cyber Insurance for Your Business Needs


As the cyber threats increase at a rapid pace, the security and authentication flows should grow with it. Organizations can benefit from proactive authentication frameworks, which provide the right access to the right resources and the right person. This is where the AAA protocols, including RADIUS and TACACS+, hold the most advantage.

RADIUS and TACACS+ are both network authentication protocols, but they serve different purposes: RADIUS focuses on [remote access authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/products/secure-remote-access) and accounting, while TACACS+ provides granular command-level authorization for network devices. The key difference lies in their approach.

In this guide, [miniOrange](https://www.miniorange.com/) will compare RADIUS and TACACS+, understand their approaches, explain their strengths, and help you choose the right protocol for your network.

## What Are AAA Protocols?  {#What Are AAA Protocols?}

![AAA Protocols](/blog/assets/2025/what-is-aaa.webp)

AAA protocols are security frameworks that govern network access through three fundamental processes: Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting. The three fundamental protocols, [Authentication, Authorization](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/authentication-authorization-difference/) & Accounting, have significant differences. These protocols ensure that only verified users can access network resources, define what they're permitted to do, and track their activities for security and compliance purposes.

### The Three Pillars of AAA

**Authentication** - Verifies user identity through credentials like usernames, passwords, certificates, or multi-factor authentication before granting network access.

**Authorization** - Determines what authenticated users can access and which commands they can execute based on their roles and permissions.

**Accounting**- Logs user activities, session duration, and resource usage for auditing, billing, and compliance monitoring.



### Why are AAA Protocols Essential for Enterprise Networks?

Modern enterprise networks rely on complex infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, VPN gateways, and wireless access points. Without proper access control, these critical network devices become vulnerable to unauthorized access, configuration changes, and security breaches. AAA protocols provide centralized management of network access, ensuring that:

1. Network administrators have appropriate privileges for their roles
2. Device configurations remain secure from unauthorized modifications
3. All network access attempts are properly logged and monitored
4. Compliance requirements are met through detailed audit trails
5. Remote access to network infrastructure is properly controlled



## RADIUS and TACACS+ as AAA Protocols {#RADIUS and TACACS+ as AAA Protocols}

Both RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) and TACACS+ (Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System Plus) are widely adopted AAA protocols that provide these essential security functions. While they share the same AAA foundation, each protocol takes a different approach to implementing authentication, authorization, and accounting, making them suitable for different network scenarios and security requirements.

### What is RADIUS? 

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a networking protocol that provides centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) management for users who connect and use network services. 

Originally designed for dial-up connections, RADIUS has evolved into a standard AAA protocol used across enterprise networks to control access to routers, switches, wireless networks, VPNs, and other network infrastructure. 

RADIUS operates as a client-server protocol where network access servers act as clients, forwarding authentication requests to a central [RADIUS server](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/radius-server-authentication/) that validates user credentials and defines access permissions. 

### How RADIUS Works?

![How RADIUS Works?](/blog/assets/2025/how-radius-works.webp)

RADIUS follows a client-server model where network devices (NAS - Network Access Servers) act as RADIUS clients, forwarding authentication requests to a centralized RADIUS server. The protocol uses UDP (User Datagram Protocol) for communication, typically on ports 1812 for authentication and 1813 for accounting. 

Security is maintained through shared secret encryption, where both the client and server use a pre-configured shared key to encrypt sensitive data like passwords. When a user attempts network access, the NAS sends an Access-Request packet to the RADIUS server, which responds with Accept, Reject, or Challenge messages based on the authentication outcome.


### Key Features of RADIUS 

- **Centralized Authentication** - Single point of user credential validation across multiple network devices and services
- **Authorization Control** - Defines user permissions and access levels through attribute-value pairs (AVPs)
- **Comprehensive Accounting** - Tracks user sessions, connection time, data usage, and network resource consumption
- **High Scalability** - Supports thousands of concurrent users and can be deployed across distributed network environments
- **Vendor Interoperability**- Standardized protocol works with equipment from multiple network hardware vendors
- **Proxy Support** - Can forward authentication requests to other RADIUS servers for distributed authentication 


### What is TACACS+ in Networking? 

TACACS+ (Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System Plus) is a Cisco-developed AAA protocol designed specifically for network device administration and management. Unlike RADIUS, [TACACS/TACACS+ authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/solutions/tacacs-authentication) focuses primarily on providing granular administrative access control to network infrastructure equipment such as routers, switches, and firewalls.

TACACS+ separates AAA into distinct processes, allowing network administrators to have fine-grained control over what commands users can execute on network devices, making it ideal for securing network infrastructure management.

### How TACACS+ Works? 

![How TACACS+ Works?](/blog/assets/2025/how-tacacs+-works.webp)

TACACS+ operates using a client-server architecture where network devices act as TACACS+ clients that communicate with a central TACACS+ server. The protocol uses TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) for reliable communication, typically on port 49. 

Unlike RADIUS, TACACS+ provides full-packet encryption using a shared secret key, encrypting the entire packet payload rather than just the password field. This enhanced security approach ensures that all communication between the client and server remains confidential, including usernames, commands, and authorization responses.

### Key Features of TACACS+ 

- **Separated AAA Functions** - AAA operates as independent processes for enhanced flexibility
- **Command-Level Authorization** - Granular control over individual commands and privilege levels on network devices
- **Full Packet Encryption** - Complete payload encryption provides superior security compared to partial encryption methods
- **TCP Reliability** - Uses TCP for guaranteed packet delivery and connection-oriented communication
- **Detailed Accounting** - Comprehensive logging of administrative commands, configuration changes, and user activities 
- **Cisco Integration** - Native support across Cisco network infrastructure with deep integration capabilities 
- **Flexible Authorization** - Supports complex authorization policies, including time-based and location-based access controls


## Top 10 Key Differences Between RADIUS and TACACS+ {#Top 10 Key Differences Between RADIUS and TACACS+}

| **Feature** | **RADIUS** | **TACACS+** |
|-------------|------------|-------------|
| **Transport Protocol** | Uses UDP for fast, connectionless communication | Uses TCP for reliable, connection-oriented communication |
| **Encryption Security** | Encrypts only the password field, leaves other data in plaintext |Provides full packet encryption for complete data protection |
| **AAA Function Separation** | Combines authentication and authorization in a single process | Separates authentication, authorization, and accounting into distinct functions|
| **Authorization Granularity** | Basic access control with attribute-value pairs | Command-level authorization with granular permission control |
| **Primary Use Case** | Designed for remote user access authentication (VPN, Wi-Fi) |Built specifically for network device administration and management |
| **Vendor Support** | Industry standard supported by all major network vendors | Cisco's proprietary protocol with limited third-party support |
| **Network Performance** | Faster processing with lower latency, but no delivery guarantee | Reliable delivery with higher overhead and connection management |
| **Accounting Capabilities** | Session-based accounting for basic usage and billing tracking | Detailed command-level logging for comprehensive audit trails |
| **Scalability** | Highly scalable for thousands of concurrent user authentications | Optimized for smaller administrative user groups and device management |
| **Implementation Complexity** |Simple configuration with basic shared secret setup | Complex policy configuration requiring detailed authorization rules |

##  Which One is Better? {#Which One is Better?}

The choice between RADIUS and TACACS+ depends entirely on your specific security requirements and network environment. RADIUS excels in scenarios requiring network access control, such as Wi-Fi authentication, VPN connections, and ISP dial-up services, where its lightweight UDP-based approach and broad vendor support make it the preferred choice. Its simplicity and widespread compatibility across network devices make it ideal for organizations prioritizing ease of deployment and management.

TACACS+ is superior for device administration and privileged access scenarios where granular control and detailed auditing are critical. Its TCP-based reliability, full packet encryption, and separation of authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) functions make it the go-to protocol for managing administrative access to routers, switches, and other critical network infrastructure.


![Key Differences Between RADIUS and TACACS+ Explained by miniOrange](/blog/assets/2025/differences-between-radius-and-tacacs+.webp)

## Pros and Cons of RADIUS and TACACS+ Protocol {#Pros and Cons of RADIUS and TACACS+ Protocol}

### Advantages of TACACS+ over RADIUS

**More Granular Access Control**

TACACS+ provides command-level authorization, allowing administrators to control exactly which commands users can execute on network devices, including specific arguments and privilege levels.

**Full-Packet Encryption**

Unlike RADIUS, TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet payload using a shared secret, ensuring complete confidentiality of usernames, commands, and all communication data.

**Ideal for Device Management**

Purpose-built for network infrastructure administration with deep integration into Cisco devices, offering native support for advanced device management features.

**Reliable TCP Transport**

TCP-based communication guarantees packet delivery with built-in error correction, flow control, and connection state management for critical authentication transactions.

**Separated AAA Functions**

Independent authentication, authorization, and accounting processes provide flexibility to customize each function according to specific security requirements. 

### Advantages of RADIUS over TACACS+

**Simpler Deployment**

Straightforward configuration with basic shared secret setup and minimal policy management, making it easier to implement and maintain across organizations.

**Faster with Less Overhead (UDP)**

UDP-based communication eliminates connection establishment overhead, providing faster authentication response times and reduced network latency.

**Broader Device/Vendor Support**

Industry-standard protocol supported by all major network vendors, ensuring interoperability in multi-vendor environments without compatibility concerns.

**Lightweight and Efficient**

Minimal resource consumption on both client and server sides, making it suitable for high-volume authentication scenarios with thousands of concurrent users.

**Cost-Effective Scalability**

Lower processing requirements and simpler architecture enable cost-effective deployment for large-scale user authentication across distributed networks.

## When to Use RADIUS vs TACACS+ {#When to Use RADIUS vs TACACS+}

Choosing between RADIUS and TACACS+ depends on your specific network requirements, security needs, and infrastructure setup.

### Use RADIUS in Case 

#### You need authentication for general network access (Wi-Fi, VPN)

RADIUS excels at handling remote user authentication for wireless networks, VPN connections, dial-up access, and internet service provider scenarios where users need network connectivity.

#### You manage a multi-vendor environment

As an industry-standard protocol, RADIUS works seamlessly across equipment from different vendors, including Cisco, Juniper, HP, Aruba, and others, ensuring interoperability.

#### You want a lightweight, fast AAA solution

UDP-based communication and minimal processing overhead make RADIUS ideal for high-volume authentication scenarios requiring fast response times and efficient resource utilization.

#### You have budget constraints

RADIUS implementations are typically more cost-effective due to simpler configuration, lower administrative overhead, and reduced hardware requirements.

#### You need to scale for large user populations

RADIUS can efficiently handle thousands of concurrent authentication requests, making it perfect for organizations with extensive remote user bases.

### Use TACACS+ in Case

#### You manage network devices and need command-level control

TACACS+ provides granular authorization for network infrastructure, allowing precise control over which commands administrators can execute on routers, switches, and firewalls.

#### You require full-packet encryption for higher security

Complete payload encryption ensures that all communication between clients and servers remains confidential, meeting strict security requirements for sensitive environments.

#### You operate a Cisco-centric infrastructure

Native integration with Cisco devices provides advanced features, seamless deployment, and optimal performance in Cisco-dominated network environments.

#### You need detailed audit trails for compliance

Command-level accounting and comprehensive logging capabilities support regulatory compliance and forensic analysis requirements.

#### Security takes priority over performance

TCP reliability and enhanced encryption make TACACS+ suitable for environments where security is more critical than authentication speed.

## miniOrange AAA Solutions for RADIUS and TACACS+ {#miniOrange AAA Solutions for RADIUS and TACACS+}

miniOrange provides a comprehensive [authentication solution](https://www.miniorange.com/products/authentication) with AAA support, covering both RADIUS and TACACS+ protocols, enabling organizations to implement robust authentication with the [miniOrange MFA solution](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/solutions/multi-factor-authentication-mfa-solutions) across their network infrastructure.

### Our AAA Solutions Include:

**RADIUS Server Implementation**

Complete RADIUS server deployment with [MFA software](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) for secure user authentication, user management, and integration with existing directory services like Active Directory and LDAP.

**TACACS+ Server Solutions**

Advanced TACACS+ implementation with granular command authorization, detailed audit logging, and seamless integration with network device management workflows.

**Hybrid AAA Environments**

Deploy both RADIUS and TACACS+ within the same infrastructure, using RADIUS for user access and TACACS+ for device administration.

**Cloud and On-Premise Options**

Flexible deployment models, including cloud-hosted, on-premise, and hybrid solutions to meet your organization's specific requirements.

### Key Benefits:

- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) support
- Single Sign-On (SSO) integration
- Detailed reporting and analytics
- 24/7 technical support
- Competitive pricing for all organization sizes

Ready to implement robust AAA solutions? [Contact our experts](https://www.miniorange.com/contact) for a customized consultation, or explore our [pricing options](https://www.miniorange.com/pricing) to find the perfect solution for your network security needs.

## Conclusion {#Conclusion}

Both RADIUS and TACACS+ serve essential roles in network security, but they excel in different scenarios. RADIUS remains the go-to choice for user authentication across diverse network environments, offering simplicity, speed, broad vendor support, and compatibility with various [methods of authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/different-types-of-authentication-methods-for-security/). TACACS+ provides superior security and granular control for network device administration, particularly in Cisco-centric infrastructures, and often works well alongside [context-based authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/5-reasons-to-deploy-context-based-authentication-for-your-organization/) to enforce stricter access policies.

The decision between these protocols shouldn't be viewed as mutually exclusive. Many organizations successfully implement both protocols simultaneously, using RADIUS for user access and TACACS+ for infrastructure management. This hybrid approach leverages the strengths of each protocol while addressing different security requirements within the same network environment.

## FAQs {#FAQs}

### What are the disadvantages of TACACS+?

TACACS+ has higher implementation complexity, increased processing overhead due to TCP transport, limited vendor support outside Cisco ecosystems, and higher resource consumption compared to RADIUS. It's also not suitable for high-volume user authentication scenarios.

### Is TACACS still used?

Yes, TACACS+ (the plus version) is widely used for network device administration, especially in enterprise environments with Cisco infrastructure. The original TACACS protocol is largely obsolete, but TACACS+ remains actively deployed for secure network management.

### Which is more secure?

TACACS+ is generally more secure due to full-packet encryption, separated AAA functions, and TCP reliability. RADIUS only encrypts passwords, leaving other data in plaintext. However, both can be secured with proper implementation and additional security measures.

### Can I use both RADIUS and TACACS+ together?

Yes, many organizations use both protocols simultaneously. RADIUS for user authentication (VPN, Wi-Fi) and TACACS+ for network device administration. This hybrid approach leverages each protocol's strengths for different network security requirements.

### Does RADIUS do AAA?

Yes, RADIUS provides Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) services. However, it combines authentication and authorization in a single process, unlike TACACS+, which separates all three functions independently.


Strengthen your access control strategy. Learn how RADIUS offers speed and simplicity, while TACACS+ delivers granular command-level control and auditing for enterprise-grade security.

RADIUS vs TACACS+: Which One’s Best for Your Enterprise Security?

Organizations often struggle to securely handle access to their VPN (Virtual Private Network) or Wi-Fi, especially when the number of employees or devices increases. 

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) protocol steps in to solve this issue through a centralized AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) approach. 


In this blog, we will be discussing the RADIUS protocol and the RADIUS client and server. We will also talk about RADIUS server authentication and how [miniOrange,](https://www.miniorange.com/) your trusted security software solution partner, can help you to elevate RADIUS server authentication.

**Let’s have a look at this** [authentication solution](https://www.miniorange.com/products/authentication) now.

## Understanding the RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service)  {#Understanding the RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service)}

Here’s what you should know about the RADIUS before getting started on the complexities. 

### What is RADIUS Protocol?

RADIUS is a networking standard or protocol that works on a RADIUS server-client model, and it controls authorization and authentication of users. In simpler terms, it controls communication between the users, client, and server.  

### What is a RADIUS Server and RADIUS Client?

Here’s what you should know about the RADIUS server and RADIUS client before we move to the complexities of RADIUS server authentication and discover more about the [RADIUS MFA.](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/solutions/radius-mfa) 

- **RADIUS Server:** The primary functions of the RADIUS server include authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) of the users who are trying to access a network. Common RADIUS server products are Microsoft NPS, Cisco ISE, Open Systems Radiator, etc.  
- **RADIUS Client:** Also known as NAS (Network Access Server), the RADIUS client functions as an intermediary between the user and the RADIUS server. It forwards user requests to the server. Usually, the RADIUS client takes credentials and forwards them to the RADIUS server. Common NAS products are wireless access points, such as dial-up equipment and the Linksys WRT54G.  

[![Ready to secure user access with RADIUS authentication today?](/blog/assets/2025/radius-authentication-today.webp)](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/schedule-a-demo?utm_source=landingpage&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=cta_image_cta&utm_content=radius_server_authentication_blog)

### What is RADIUS in Networking and Cybersecurity?

In networking and cybersecurity, RADIUS functions as a security guard that verifies who you are and what you can do, and also keeps track of everything you do over the network.

For example, imagine an organization of over 1000+ employees, where all of them connect over the office Wi-Fi. So, instead of setting up credentials for every router, the RADIUS server handles all the credentials. 

When an employee tries to log in, the credentials are sent to the RADIUS server via the RADIUS client, and the server verifies the employee and sends back a response to either grant or deny access.  

In cybersecurity and networking, the RADIUS server manages and controls several users and provides a central point to apply policies, authenticate users, and record activities.

This helps to amplify security levels and simplify the administration process, which is an essential facet for businesses, educational institutions, service providers, and other types of user bases. 

## What are the Types of RADIUS Servers {#What are the Types of RADIUS Servers}

There are two major types of RADIUS servers, and they are as follows:

### Synchronous Authentication Mode

- **How it Works:** In synchronous authentication mode, the user signs in using a password, a PIN, a token, or any other authentication method. The credentials are sent to the server via the client for validation. The RADIUS server then either accepts or denies the login.
- **Example:** An employee enters a password and a hardware token while logging into the office VPN. The user request is authenticated in a single step, and access is granted by the RADIUS server, provided that all the data is correct.
- **Use Case:** Synchronous authentication works in cases where two-factor authentication (2FA) is needed, such as setting up a new password. 

### Asynchronous Authentication Mode

- **How it Works:** The user authentication takes place in multiple steps. When a user logs in, the RADIUS server sends a challenge such as a one-time code or a puzzle. The user solves this challenge, and the response is sent back to the server, based on which the user is validated.
- **Example:** An employee logs into a protected database with credentials. The server sends a challenge, which the employee answers correctly. This challenge is usually a code created on mobile devices. Based on the employee’s answer, access is either granted or denied. 
- **Use Case:** The asynchronous mode is used to secure critical databases of banks, healthcare organizations, or MNCs with the [miniOrange MFA methods](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa-methods) such as [push notifications,](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/push-notification/) SMS/email-based authentication, biometrics, and more. 

## What are the Components of RADIUS Authentication?

RADIUS authentication needs a few elements, which are as follows:
- RADIUS Server
- An Identity Provider (IdP), also known as a directory of user information. 
- RADIUS Client

With these components, the RADIUS servers can control the network access efficiently, as they don’t have too much workload. 

## How Does RADIUS Authentication Work? 

![RADIUS Authentication Flow](/blog/assets/2025/radius-authentication-flow.webp)

### User Access Request

A user tries to sign in to a network, such as VPN, Wi-Fi, or any remote system, with their username and password. These credentials are received by the RADIUS client (VPN, Wi-Fi, or a remote service). 

The client generates an access request encompassing the credentials, which are encrypted. This request is sent to the RADIUS server. 

### RADIUS Protocol Handshake

This is nothing but a way for the RADIUS client and the RADIUS server to communicate with each other through a series of requests and responses regarding whether to authenticate a user or not.

Both synchronous and asynchronous authentication modes can be a part of the RADIUS protocol handshake. 

### The AAA Framework Execution

The AAA framework stands for authentication, authorization, and accounting. And a combination of [AAA and TACACS+](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/aaa-tacacs-authentication/) boosts security levels. 

We’ll dive into AAA frameworks here and then move on to TACACS+ in the later sections. Here’s how the AAA framework works: 

**1\. The Authentication Process**

In this process, the user/device identity is validated. Steps are as follows:

- **User Request:** Through a wireless connection (RADIUS Client), the user enters credentials, and an access request is generated. 
- **Request Goes to the RADIUS Server:** The user credentials are sent to the server through the client. 
- **Verification:** The credentials are verified against a central database such as an AD (Active Directory) or LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol). 
- **Response:** An authentication response is sent from the server if the credentials match or don’t match. 
- **Access Granted:** If the credentials match, then the user is permitted to access the resources.

**Explore the Power of** [Adaptive Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-adaptive-authentication/)

**2\. The Authorization Process**

In this process, the server decides which resources the user can access, based on the policies. Here’s the complete process:

- **Authentication:** Once the user is authenticated, the server moves on to the authorization phase.
- **Policy Verification:** The RADIUS server checks the user’s roles and level of access, based on which it decides which resources the user can access, such as network areas, files, media, etc.
- **Sending Authorization Notification:** The server sends a notification (access granted or access denied) based on the user’s policies and permissions. 
- **Grant Access:** In case the server sends a positive message, the user is permitted entry to the network. 

**Discover more about** [Authentication vs. Authorization](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/authentication-authorization-difference/)

**3\. The Accounting Process**

Here, user sessions are tracked and logged, which can be used for network management, auditing, and reporting. The steps for accounting are as follows:

- **Request to Begin a Session:** After the user is granted access to the network, the RADIUS client sends an ‘Accounting-Start’ packet to the server. This packet comprises user details such as session ID, user’s identity, and network access point. 
- **Tracking:** The server tracks the user’s session details, such as data usage, session duration, and which resources were accessed. This produces an entire log of the user’s activities when they’re connected. 
- **Intermediary Updates:** If the user sessions are prolonged, then the client may send updates in between the sessions.
- **Session End:** After the user logs out, the client sends an ‘Accounting-Stop’ packet to the server. This includes details such as time spent and data accessed. 
- **Data Reporting and Storage:** The RADIUS server is a storehouse for all the data, which can be used by the admins for billing, auditing, and monitoring.   

##  What are RADIUS Authentication Methods? {# What are RADIUS Authentication Methods?}

There are two main types of RADIUS authentication methods, which are as follows:

### Credential-Based Authentication

The RADIUS server needs a directory like an AD to store user data, so it can check the credentials and related policies from there. Here are the steps involved in it:

- The user/device sends an authentication request to the RADIUS client (along with credentials).
- The client sends the request to the server.
- The server verifies the user credentials that are present in the directory.
- The server gives either an access denied or accepted message to the client, based on the results of the user authentication. 

### Certificate-Based Authentication

Certificate-based authentication is different, as it contains more information compared to the user credentials. It gives the server or an admin data such as session logs, giving more context of the user activities.  

Here’s how the process flows:

- A user/device certificate is forwarded to the RADIUS client, which is transferred to the RADIUS server.
- The server starts checking the certificate to see whether it is still valid or not.
- After this, the server checks the CRL (Certificate Revocation List) to check whether the certificate has been revoked or not. 
- In case the certificate is not revoked, the server confirms the user’s status in the directory.  

## Why is RADIUS Server Critical for Cybersecurity? {#Why is RADIUS Server Critical for Cybersecurity?}

Here’s why the RADIUS server plays a crucial role in cybersecurity.

###  Prevents Unauthorized Access

The RADIUS server is backed by strong authentication protocols that validate users with their credentials. This approach drastically reduces the risk of malicious activities such as infiltration of remote networks, VPNs, or Wi-Fi. 

The RADIUS server verifies every connection, so only the legitimate users are given permissions. This helps to mitigate risks such as man-in-the-middle attacks or data breaches. 

### Centralized Auditing

RADIUS servers track and monitor every user activity, such as session timeframes, login timings, data accessed, and more. 

Auditing helps to create a digital trail that can be further used for cyberattack investigation, monitoring security, and checking regulatory compliance. 

## Benefits of Using RADIUS Server for Cybersecurity {#Benefits of Using RADIUS Server for Cybersecurity}

Here are the top four benefits of using a RADIUS server for boosting cybersecurity for your business. 

### Centralized Identity Management

The RADIUS server facilitates a central database for user credentials, profiles, and policies to simplify identity management across the entire organization. 

It is compatible with all users, reducing the risk of shared passwords over Wi-Fi. Moreover, the server enables granular access policies based on user roles and group memberships. 

###  Enhanced Access Control with MFA

The RADIUS server integrates the [miniOrange MFA solution](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) during the network access step. It requires users to offer more than one form of authentication before granting a request. 

Common MFA methods include OTP, facial recognition, push notifications, and more. Also, [phishing-resistant MFA](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-phishing-resistant-mfa/) helps to keep the network secure from phishing-based attacks such as email phishing, spear phishing, whaling, smishing, and more. 

**Discover the Basics of** [Multi-Factor Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-multi-factor-authentication-mfa/) **Today**

### Scalability Across Devices and Networks

The server has the ability to support large businesses and organizations without needing any substantial infrastructure changes. It is also compatible with multiple systems such as VPNs, routers, switches, LDAP, AD, and more in the pipeline, making it a flexible solution. 

### Regulatory Compliance

Meeting compliance standards is a necessity to avoid unwanted penalties and fines that could cost organizations tons of money and reputation damage. RADIUS implementation helps to meet the regulatory standards. 

Some of the recommended compliances are HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, and more along these lines. 

## Use Cases of RADIUS Server for Enterprise Security {#Use Cases of RADIUS Server for Enterprise Security}

Here are the top four use cases where the RADIUS server shines and leaves an everlasting impression. 

### RADIUS for VPN Access Control

With a RADIUS server, enterprises can authenticate users trying to log into a VPN to achieve [secure remote access,](https://www.miniorange.com/products/secure-remote-access) allowing only authorized users into the network. This helps to maintain consistent authentication policies for remote and local access. Moreover, enterprises can [secure VPN with MFA](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/solutions/vpn-mfa-multi-factor-authentication) solutions for better network security. 

The [miniOrange 2FA solution for Palo Alto GlobalProtect](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/integrations/palo-alto-multi-factor-authentication-mfa) is easy to set up and also scalable. It connects with the Palo Alto VPN server to add an extra layer of security. 

### RADIUS for Wireless Network Security (802.1X)

Enterprises can make use of a RADIUS server to secure their Wi-Fi via 802.1X authentication. It checks devices or users prior to allowing network access to the users. This prevents unauthorized wireless connections and safeguards sensitive information. 

### RADIUS in Firewall and Device Authentication

A RADIUS server authenticates switches, firewalls, and access points, enabling central access control. This is necessary to connect only the trusted devices to the network.  

### RADIUS for Remote Workforce and Cloud Access

Enforce secure authentication for cloud platforms and remote employees with a RADIUS server. It integrates with IdPs, [adaptive MFA,](https://www.miniorange.com/products/adaptive-multi-factor-authentication-mfa) SSO, and more software to offer a scalable and centralized authentication solution, which is suitable for cloud and hybrid settings. 

## RADIUS and TACACS+  {#RADIUS and TACACS+}

TACACS+ stands for Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System Plus. it segregates authentication, authorization, and accounting, making it possible to use other protocols such as LDAP, PAP (Password Authentication Protocol), and CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol), to name a few. 

These protocols are primarily used for authentication, but can also be used for accounting or authorization. 

On the other hand, RADIUS combines authorization and authentication, making it impossible to use them separately.

So, [RADIUS vs. TACACS+,](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/radius-vs-tacacs/) which one is a better choice? Well, it depends on what your end goal is and how you are using protocols. 

## How miniOrange Enhances RADIUS Server Security {#How miniOrange Enhances RADIUS Server Security}

Amplify the RADIUS server security by integrating the [miniOrange MFA software](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa?utm_source=landingpage&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=miniorange_mfa_software_cta&utm_content=radius_server_authentication) into the RADIUS server authentication flow.

So, the users trying to access resources via networks such as Wi-Fi, VPNs, routers, firewalls, and switches offer extra verification aspects, other than their credentials. 

These verification aspects (MFA solutions) include push notifications, OTP, biometric verification, and more. 

[Contact us](https://www.miniorange.com/contact?utm_source=landingpage&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=contact_us_cta&utm_content=radius_server_authentication_blog) to know more about these MFA products, or start a [30-days free trial](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/free-trial?utm_source=landingpage&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=30_days_free_trial_cta&utm_content=radius_srver_authentication_blog) today. 

## Conclusion {#Conclusion}

Amongst various [methods of authentication,](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/different-types-of-authentication-methods-for-security/) the RADIUS server is a one-of-a-kind security facet that makes use of [context-based authentication,](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/5-reasons-to-deploy-context-based-authentication-for-your-organization/) AAA, and keeps up with compliance. This allows enterprises to safeguard their networks, limiting them to only the authorized users. 

Integrating it into your everyday business can help you keep potential cybercriminals away, preventing major breaches and suspicious activities.  

## FAQs {#FAQs}

### What is RADIUS in networking?

In networking, a RADIUS server verifies the users who are trying to access networks such as wireless access points, VPNs, firewalls, etc. 

### How is RADIUS different from other protocols?

RADIUS combines authentication and authorization in a central system, which is absent in protocols such as TACACS+. 

### Is RADIUS secure for enterprise networks?

Yes, it is secure for enterprise networks because it helps to avert unauthorized access by validating users against trusted sources such as an AD, where the entire user data is stored. 

### What is the RADIUS protocol used for?

The RADIUS protocol is used to handle network access by authenticating, authorizing, and accounting.

### Is RADIUS authentication scalable for growing businesses?

Yes, RADIUS server authentication is highly scalable, as it is compatible with large networks and can be easily integrated with identity providers. 

### Which type of businesses benefit the most from using RADIUS authentication?

Businesses that are operating remotely or have a hybrid setting, and those that need a wireless connection to manage multiple devices. 












RADIUS Server is responsible for AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) of the users trying to access networks such as VPN, access points, firewalls, and more.

RADIUS Server Authentication: A Comprehensive Guide



Adaptive Authentication, also known as Risk-Based Authentication, is a dynamic security approach that evaluates multiple risk factors like user behavior, device, location, and IP reputation during login attempts. Instead of enforcing strict authentication every time, it intelligently adjusts the security requirements based on real-time risk analysis. Low-risk activities allow seamless access, while high-risk actions trigger additional verification steps like Adaptive MFA.

miniOrange’s Adaptive Authentication solution strengthens login security without disrupting the user experience. By applying Risk-Based Authentication policies, miniOrange ensures that only legitimate users gain access, while potential threats are blocked or challenged with step-up authentication. This flexible security framework not only protects sensitive resources but also reduces unnecessary friction for trusted users.

## What is Adaptive Authentication? {#What is Adaptive Authentication?}

![What is Adaptive Authentication?](/blog/assets/2025/how-adaptive-authentication-works.webp)

Traditional authentication methods, including [Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa),  require users to provide specific credentials each time they attempt to log in. While MFA strengthens security by adding layers like one-time passcodes or authenticator apps, it still follows a static model where the same steps are repeated for every login. This can create vulnerabilities, especially if users' credentials are compromised.

Adaptive Authentication takes a smarter, dynamic approach. Instead of treating every login attempt equally, it adjusts the authentication process based on real-time contextual risk factors such as IP address, device type, location, login time, and user behavior patterns. In low-risk scenarios, users can access resources seamlessly with minimal friction. In high-risk cases, the system enforces additional security measures like [Adaptive MFA](https://www.miniorange.com/products/adaptive-multi-factor-authentication-mfa) or blocks access altogether.

By combining Behavioral Authentication and [Context-Aware Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/5-reasons-to-deploy-context-based-authentication-for-your-organization/), adaptive systems ensure that authentication requirements are proportionate to the detected risk. Powered by Risk-Based Authentication, miniOrange’s Adaptive Authentication solution intelligently strengthens login security without compromising user experience, making it much harder for attackers to breach corporate systems.

## How Does Adaptive Authentication Work? {#How Does Adaptive Authentication Work?}

Adaptive Authentication, also known as [Risk-Based Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/solutions/risk-based-authentication-rba), builds a dynamic user profile based on attributes like geographic location, device type, IP address, and job role. Each time a user attempts to log in, the system analyzes these contextual signals and calculates a real-time risk score.

Depending on the assessed risk, authentication requirements are adjusted. For example, if a user logs in from a trusted device at a usual location, they may gain access seamlessly. However, if an attempt is made from an unknown device or an unusual location, the system may trigger additional steps such as device registration, answering security questions, or enforcing Adaptive MFA to verify identity.

By continuously evaluating context and behavior, Adaptive Authentication strengthens security without disrupting legitimate user activity, ensuring smarter access control based on real-world risk factors.

### Key Components of Adaptive MFA 

- **Contextual Factors**: Adaptive MFA evaluates multiple context signals such as the user's geographic location, registered device, IP address, and time of access. Any deviation from the normal pattern triggers additional authentication measures.  
- **Behavioral Biometrics**: The system also analyzes subtle user behaviors like typing speed, mouse movements, and touch dynamics. These behavioral patterns help differentiate between legitimate users and potential attackers without intrusive prompts.  
- **Risk Scoring**: Every authentication attempt undergoes real-time risk analysis. Based on the calculated risk score, the system decides whether to allow seamless access or enforce step-up [authentication methods](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/different-types-of-authentication-methods-for-security/) like additional MFA challenges.

## Benefits of Adaptive Authentication {#Benefits of Adaptive Authentication}

Here are some benefits of Adaptive Authentication

- **Stronger Data Security**: Shields corporate systems and sensitive information from unauthorized access by dynamically adjusting security measures based on risk.  
- **Seamless Integration**: Easily integrates with existing IT infrastructure while offering flexible, dynamic policy enforcement across applications and user groups.  
- **Real-Time Access Control**: Continuously evaluates login risk and adapts access requirements instantly, enhancing security without manual intervention.  
- **API-Driven Protection**: Extends adaptive authentication and enhanced security across cloud-based applications through simple API integrations.  
- **Cross-Platform Compatibility**: Supports a wide range of devices and browsers, ensuring secure access for users regardless of their platform.  
- **Smooth User Experience**: Embeds adaptive security measures without disrupting workflows, maintaining user productivity while strengthening defenses.

### Adaptive Authentication Methods

- **IP-Based Restriction**: Administrators define trusted or restricted IP address lists. Login attempts are evaluated against these lists to determine whether access is granted, challenged, or denied.  
- **Location-Based Restriction**: Users are allowed to log in only from approved geographic locations. Attempts from unauthorized locations may trigger additional authentication or be blocked.  
- **Device-Based Restriction**: Only registered and trusted devices are permitted for login, minimizing the risk of unauthorized device access.  
- **Time-Based Restriction**: Access is limited to predefined time windows or zones. Login attempts outside these parameters are either challenged with additional authentication steps or denied altogether.

![Adaptive Authentication Methods](/blog/assets/2025/adaptive-authentication-methods.webp)


## Adaptive Authentication and Machine Learning {#Adaptive Authentication and Machine Learning}

Modern Adaptive Authentication solutions harness the power of machine learning to enhance both security and user experience. By continuously learning from user behavior, such as device usage patterns, login times, geographic locations, and IP reputation, these systems build a behavioral baseline for every user.

When a login attempt deviates from the expected behavior, behavioral authentication techniques powered by machine learning assign a dynamic risk score. Based on this score and according to IT-defined policies, the system triggers context-specific responses such as adaptive MFA challenges or access denial.

Advanced Risk-Based Authentication solutions like [miniOrange](https://www.miniorange.com/products/authentication) integrate AI and machine learning to monitor authentication events in real time, automatically detecting unusual patterns and potential threats—ensuring faster, smarter protection for critical resources.

## Conclusion {#Conclusion}

Adaptive Authentication is no longer a luxury; it is a critical need in today’s complex cybersecurity environment. By dynamically adjusting security measures based on real-time risk signals like user behavior, device type, and login patterns, an advanced [authentication solution](https://www.miniorange.com/products/authentication) ensures enhanced protection without compromising user experience. To truly secure access, it is important to understand the [difference between Authentication vs Authorization](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/authentication-authorization-difference/)**.** While authentication verifies the user’s identity, authorization governs what actions they are permitted to take. 

Adaptive Authentication strengthens the authentication step, ensuring only verified users move forward to access sensitive resources. Organizations that invest in risk-based authentication and adaptive MFA not only protect their systems but also prepare for evolving threats. Ready to implement intelligent, context-aware security? [Contact Us](https://www.miniorange.com/contact) to explore a tailored solution for your organization. [Book a 30 Days Free Demo](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/schedule-a-demo) today and see adaptive security in action\!

## FAQs {#FAQs}

### 1. Is adaptive authentication the same as risk-based authentication?
Yes, adaptive authentication and risk-based authentication are closely related. Both involve evaluating the risk level of each login attempt in real time based on contextual factors like device, location, and user behavior. Depending on the assessed risk, the system adapts authentication requirements, enforcing stronger security measures only when needed.

### 2. Can I combine adaptive authentication with MFA?
Absolutely. Adaptive authentication often works alongside Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to provide an extra layer of security. In low-risk situations, users may log in with minimal steps, while in higher-risk scenarios, adaptive MFA challenges are triggered automatically, requiring additional verification like OTPs, biometrics, or security questions.

### 3. Does adaptive authentication affect user experience?
No, it actually improves it. Adaptive authentication ensures that trusted users can access resources seamlessly without unnecessary authentication barriers. Only when a login attempt appears risky does the system introduce additional steps, maintaining a strong balance between security and user convenience.

### 4. Can users bypass MFA for low-risk scenarios?
Yes, in low-risk scenarios, users can be granted access without triggering an MFA challenge. Adaptive authentication intelligently assesses the risk context, and if everything matches the user's normal behavior and device profile, it allows login with basic credentials while still keeping security intact.


Adaptive Authentication tailors security measures based on user behavior, location, device, and risk levels. This blog explores how it strengthens defenses, reduces friction, and delivers a safer login experience.

What is Adaptive Authentication and How It Enhances Security

                               
In today’s digital world, relying solely on passwords to protect user accounts is no longer enough. As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, businesses must adopt stronger, layered security methods to safeguard sensitive data and systems. That’s where Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) come into play—each offering an extra shield beyond the traditional username and password combination. At [miniOrange](https://www.miniorange.com/), we help organizations enhance their MFA cybersecurity strategy by implementing flexible and scalable solutions tailored to their needs.  

While 2FA and MFA may sound similar, the core difference between 2FA and MFA lies in the number of verification layers involved. 2FA adds a second factor authentication step—commonly a one-time code sent to your phone on top of your password. On the other hand, MFA and 2FA differ in that MFA can involve three or more identity checks, such as biometrics or hardware tokens. This makes MFA 2FA solutions more resilient against modern threats. In this article, we’ll explore the 2FA vs MFA debate in detail and explain why choosing the right method matters for your business’s security.

## What is Authentication? {#what-is-authentication}
Authentication is the process of verifying a user's identity before granting access to systems, applications, or data. It forms the backbone of any secure digital environment and is a critical component of Identity and Access Management (IAM). Whether you're logging into your email or accessing a company’s internal tools, authentication ensures that only legitimate users get through the gate.  

Traditionally, authentication relied on a simple username and password. But with rising threats like phishing, credential stuffing, and brute-force attacks, this basic method is no longer enough. That's why modern organizations are turning to comprehensive [miniOrange authentication solutions](https://www.miniorange.com/products/authentication) that go beyond passwords and incorporate multiple layers of verification.  

These layers, known as authentication factors, are grouped into three main types:
- **Something you know:** like a password, PIN, or the answer to a security question.
- **Something you have:** such as a smartphone, hardware token, or security key.
- **Something you are:** biometrics like a fingerprint, facial scan, or voice recognition.

The more factors used, the harder it becomes for attackers to breach an account. That’s why strong authentication solutions, especially those that support MFA and 2FA, are essential for defending against today’s cyber threats.

## What is the Difference Between 2FA and MFA? {#what-is-the-difference-between-2fa-and-mfa}
The key difference between 2FA and MFA lies in the number of authentication factors involved during the login process. While both methods are designed to strengthen security by requiring users to verify their identity beyond just a password, their scope and implementation differ.  

**Two-Factor Authentication vs. Multi-Factor Authentication:**
- **2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)** requires exactly two types of credentials to verify a user—commonly a combination of something you know (like a password) and something you have (like a one-time code or security token).
- **MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication)**, on the other hand, involves two or more verification factors. It might include a password, a mobile OTP, and a biometric scan, creating multiple layers of defense.  

2FA is a type of MFA, using two factors like a password and a code. MFA offers greater security by allowing three or more factors, such as adding a fingerprint. It's ideal for high-security environments, reducing the risk of unauthorized access even if some factors are compromised.  

**In short:**
- **2FA:** Exactly two factors
- **MFA:** Two or more factors (broader and more secure approach)  

Both approaches are effective, but MFA product generally provides more comprehensive protection, especially for businesses facing advanced cyber threats.

### What is 2FA? {#what-is-2fa}
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is a widely adopted security protocol that adds an extra step to the traditional login process. Instead of relying solely on a password, 2FA requires users to verify their identity with a second factor authentication, such as a one-time password (OTP), an authenticator app, or a hardware token.  

Imagine logging into your account with a password and then confirming your identity with a code from your phone—that’s 2FA in action. It’s simple, effective, and widely accessible. Many businesses leverage the [miniOrange 2FA product](https://www.miniorange.com/products/two-factor-authentication-(2fa)) to quickly enhance their security without complicating the user experience.
By requiring two distinct authentication factors, 2FA significantly reduces the risk of account compromise, especially against phishing and brute-force attacks. It strikes a balance between improved security and user convenience.

### What is MFA? {#what-is-mfa}
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) takes security a step further by requiring two or more types of authentication factors to verify a user's identity. These can include a combination of passwords, mobile-based OTPs, facial recognition, fingerprint scans, or even hardware tokens.  

MFA is designed for organizations that prioritize strong data protection and regulatory compliance. Unlike 2FA, MFA doesn’t stop at two layers it can incorporate three or more, making it much more difficult for attackers to breach accounts even if one or two factors are compromised.  

With the help of robust [miniOrange MFA tool](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa), businesses can implement dynamic, risk-based authentication policies across departments, applications, and user roles. It offers flexibility and scalability, adapting to diverse needs across industries from financial services to healthcare and SaaS platforms. In the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, MFA stands as one of the most powerful defenses against unauthorized access and credential-based threats.


## Is Multi-Factor Authentication Better Than Two-Factor Authentication? {#is-multi-factor-authentication-better-that-two-factor-authentication}
When comparing MFA vs 2FA, Multi-Factor Authentication typically offers stronger and more adaptable security. By requiring two or more verification factors, often from different categories, it adds multiple checkpoints that make unauthorized access significantly more difficult.  

That said, the "better" solution depends on your organization’s size, data sensitivity, and compliance needs. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) can be a great fit for startups or businesses with moderate risk profiles, offering essential protection without overwhelming users or IT teams.  

For enterprises handling sensitive customer data, regulated transactions, or mission-critical systems, MFA products deliver advanced protection with customizable policies, conditional access, and high assurance authentication methods. In high-risk scenarios, more layers of verification translate to better control and reduced exposure.  

Ultimately, both 2FA and MFA improve security, but MFA is the more scalable and future-ready solution, especially in today’s complex cyber threat landscape.

### Liability of a Password {#liability-of-a-password}
Passwords have long been the weakest link in the security chain. They're often reused, easy to guess, or stored insecurely, leaving systems vulnerable to brute-force attacks, phishing scams, and credential stuffing.  

Even strong passwords can be compromised through data breaches or user negligence. And once an attacker has access to a password, it becomes a single point of failure, giving them a direct path into your network.  

That’s why relying on passwords alone, even with periodic resets, isn’t enough. Businesses must shift from password-centric models to robust authentication solutions that reduce this liability. Whether it's through 2FA or MFA, adding layers of identity verification is crucial to safeguarding digital assets.

### Single Sign-On for User Identification {#single-sign-on-for-user-identification}
Single Sign-On (SSO) simplifies the login experience by allowing users to access multiple applications with just one set of credentials. When paired with 2FA or MFA, it strikes a perfect balance between security and convenience.  

By centralizing authentication, SSO ensures that identity verification happens at a single, secure checkpoint, reducing the number of logins while maintaining control. For users, this means fewer passwords to remember. For IT teams, it offers greater visibility and control over access activity.  

When integrated into an authentication solution like the [miniOrange SSO solution](https://www.miniorange.com/products/single-sign-on-sso), it helps reduce password fatigue, streamline access across systems, and enhance user productivity, all without compromising on security.  


## The Importance of 2FA and MFA {#the-importance-of-2fa-and-mfa}
Passwords alone are no longer secure. 2FA and MFA add extra layers of protection, making it significantly harder for attackers to breach your systems. From preventing unauthorized access to meeting compliance requirements, here’s why enabling them is critical. 
 
![The Importance of 2FA and MFA](/blog/assets/2025/importance-of-2fa-and-mfa.webp)

#### **1. Protects Against Stolen Passwords**
Even if your password is compromised, attackers can’t get in without the second factor.

#### **2. Prevents Unauthorized Access**
Adds a strong barrier between your accounts and cybercriminals.

#### **3. Supports Compliance Requirements**
Helps meet industry regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.

#### **4. Reduces Phishing Risks**
Stops attackers from logging in—even with credentials they tricked users into sharing.

#### **5. Boosts User Confidence**
Reassures users that their data is well protected with extra security layers.


## The Best 2FA and MFA Authentication Methods {#the-best-2fa-and-mfa-authentication-methods}
Implementing the right [MFA methods](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa-methods) is key to balancing strong security with user convenience. Here are some of the most [effective authentication options](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/different-types-of-authentication-methods-for-security/) that organizations can adopt to protect access to their systems and data:

### 1. Security Tokens
Security tokens—whether hardware or software-based—generate time-sensitive, one-time passcodes (OTPs) that users must enter during login. These tokens make unauthorized access nearly impossible without physical or device-based possession. They’re especially useful for industries requiring high-assurance security without internet dependency.

### 2. Biometric Authentication
[Biometric authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-biometric-authentication/) uses unique physical or behavioral traits like fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice patterns to verify identity. As one of the most secure MFA methods, biometrics are hard to replicate or steal. While highly effective, they require careful handling of sensitive data and secure storage to avoid privacy risks.

### 3. Authenticator Apps
Authenticator apps like the [miniOrange Authentication App](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.miniorange.android.authenticator&hl=en_US) offer a seamless way to implement MFA using time-based OTPs that refresh every 30 seconds. Unlike SMS-based codes, they don’t rely on your phone number or carrier, minimizing phishing and SIM-swap risks. The miniOrange app also supports push-based approval for faster, more secure logins with a single tap.


## 2FA and MFA benefits for an organization {#2fa-and-mfa-benefits-for-a-organization}
In today’s evolving threat landscape, enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is no longer optional; it’s essential. miniOrange offers a comprehensive, scalable, and easy-to-deploy MFA/2FA solution that protects your users, apps, and sensitive data across every access point.  

**Here’s how miniOrange can help make it easy to strengthen your security posture:**

#### **Enterprise-Grade Security**
miniOrange MFA verifies user identity through multiple layers, like OTPs, biometrics, push notifications, or hardware tokens, preventing breaches caused by stolen or weak passwords.

#### **Customizable for Every Business**
Whether you're a startup or an enterprise, miniOrange offers over 15+ MFA methods that you can tailor to your users and risk levels, including support for VPNs, legacy apps, and cloud platforms.

#### **Seamless Integration with SSO & Existing Infrastructure**
Combine MFA with Single Sign-On (SSO) for a smooth, one-click login experience, without compromising security. Easily integrates with Active Directory, Okta, Azure AD, and more.

#### **Adaptive and Context-Aware**
Leverage adaptive MFA with contextual factors like IP, device, or geo-location to trigger additional layers of verification only when needed, striking the perfect balance between user experience and risk mitigation.

#### **Remote-Ready with the miniOrange Authentication App**
Empower remote teams with secure access through our mobile app, offering OTP, push, QR-code logins, and biometric support all from a single device.


## Conclusion {#conclusion}
With rising cyber threats and increasing regulatory demands, implementing robust authentication measures is no longer a choice, it’s a necessity. miniOrange empowers organizations with flexible, scalable, and user-friendly 2FA and MFA solutions that not only safeguard sensitive data but also enhance the overall login experience. From traditional OTPs to modern, passwordless authentication, miniOrange supports advanced methods like WebAuthn, a secure standard that uses biometrics or security keys for frictionless logins. To understand more about [WebAuthn](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-webauthn/) and its role in future-proofing your authentication strategy, miniOrange offers seamless integration tailored to your needs.  

[Learn more about MFA](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) and explore how the right authentication methods can transform your organization's security landscape. [Start your free trial](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/free-trial) today or [contact us](https://www.miniorange.com/contact) to find the best-fit solution for your business. 


## FAQs {#faqs}
### Is MFA always better than 2FA?
Yes, but it depends on your security needs. All 2FA is a form of MFA, but MFA can include more than two layers of authentication, offering extra protection. For high-risk environments, MFA is more secure, while 2FA works well for most standard use cases.
### Is 2FA still secure in 2025?
2FA continues to be one of the most effective ways to block unauthorized access. It protects against password theft, supports compliance, and is easy to implement, making it a smart choice even in today’s evolving threat landscape.
### Can I use biometrics with 2FA?
Yes, and it’s highly recommended. Biometrics, like fingerprints or facial recognition, can be used as a second factor in 2FA. They offer strong security and a seamless user experience, making logins both safer and faster.
### Which is More Secure: 2FA or MFA?
MFA is more secure. While 2FA uses two verification steps, MFA can include three or more, like combining a password, biometric scan, and a smart card. More layers mean more protection, especially for sensitive systems.


Understand the key differences between Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and how each enhances security to protect your business from evolving cyber threats.

2FA vs MFA: What’s the Difference?



The biometric market will reach $60.32 billion by 2025 as businesses move beyond  passwords, embracing IAM-driven secure authentication methods. In the United States, 72% of consumers prefer facial recognition over traditional login systems, accelerating the demand for advanced IAM solutions. The financial sector leads this shift, with 28% of institutions already implementing biometric authentication to strengthen security and user experience. The $2.5 trillion digital payments market will be protected by biometric authentication through [IAM](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/) frameworks like [miniOrange](https://www.miniorange.com/) as remote transactions grow, which will establish its position as the standard for identity verification. Organizations that  delay biometric adoption risk falling behind, as 86% of users favor biometrics over passwords in  a security landscape where seamless and secure IAM protection is no longer optional.

## What is Biometric Authentication? {#what-is-biometric-authentication}
Biometric authentication uses distinct physical and behavioral characteristics to perform precise identity verification, including fingerprints, iris patterns, and facial features. The adoption of inherent markers as authentication methods eliminates traditional passwords, which reduces fraud risks and strengthens security throughout digital and physical spaces.  

The system uses sophisticated sensors together with algorithms to rapidly process and evaluate [biometric information](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-biometric-authentication/), which enables immediate and trustworthy access control. Organizations use biometric authentication to protect sensitive information and optimize operations while establishing trust through an effortless password-free user experience.


## Benefits of Biometric Authentication {#benefits-of-biometric-authentication}
Biometric authentication employs individual characteristics such as fingerprints, iris patterns, and facial features to remove password weaknesses and decrease fraud possibilities. It enables passwordless authentication. The system provides strict compliance together with exact access control functions that work across digital  and physical spaces.  

The technology enables fast user verification, which reduces IT costs and speeds up secure access. Biometric authentication systems create trust with users while simplifying their experience, which leads organizations to gain market advantage in current fast-moving business conditions.


## 11 Types of Biometrics Authentication {#11-types-of-biometric-authentication}

![Types of biometric authentication methods ](/blog/assets/2025/11-types-of-biometric-authentication-methods.webp) 

Companies in the competitive market use biometrics for securing their facilities, digital systems, and sensitive data. We implement physiological and behavioral biometric technologies because each type brings its own value to our authentication solution.

### Physiological Biometrics {#physiological-biometrics}
Physiological biometric authentication relies on distinct physical characteristics, such as:

#### 1. **Fingerprints Scanning**
We identify people through fingerprint scanning by their fingerprint ridge patterns. Our systems obtain detailed fingerprint images that they then use to quickly compare with stored templates for fast and reliable access. This technology is widely  used in smartphones, secure facilities, and workforce management systems.

#### **2. Palm Vein recognition**
We employ palm vein recognition to extract vascular patterns from the hand of a user. This method uses near-infrared light to actively scan the vein structure and then analyze the unique vein configuration for identity verification. This method minimizes the chances of forgery and improves security for risky applications.

#### **3. Iris recognition**
The companies employ iris recognition to study the intricate patterns that can be found in human iris tissue. The high-resolution cameras of our system capture the iris, and then the system actively searches the database for matching iris features to confirm identity. This technology stands out for its accuracy and its ability to work under different environmental conditions.

#### **4. Facial recognition**
We utilize facial recognition systems to identify people by comparing their facial features. Our algorithms scan key attributes, including the distance between the eyes, the shape of the jawline, and the face contour, and compare them to stored records in real time. This real-time identification process finds application in security checkpoints, customer engagement, and time-tracking.

#### **5. Voice Recognition**
We have voice recognition to detect different vocal characteristics. Our systems capture tone, pitch, and cadence in real time and actively match these parameters against trusted voice profiles. The use of this technology is seen in call centers, secure banking transactions, and speaker verification to increase user security.

#### **6. DNA Matching**
Some organizations choose ultra-high security through DNA matching. Our authentication system uses active comparison of genetic markers to verify identities in controlled settings. DNA matching requires more time to process than other methods yet provides high accuracy for highly regulated industries.

#### **7. Retina scanning**
Our system uses retina scanning to document the intricate eye blood vessel patterns. Our devices take retinal images, which get compared to stored data to grant access only to verified users. The implementation of this technology occurs mainly in secure facilities, including data centers and research laboratories.

### Behavioral biometrics 
Behavioral biometrics verifies identity through interaction patterns like keystrokes, mouse movements, and gestures. Here are its main types:

#### **8. Lips Movement**
We utilize lip movement as a multifactor authentication process in our system. Our systems capture the subtle dynamics of a person’s lip movements during speech, adding an extra layer of verification that supplements voice recognition systems in secure communications.

#### **9. Signature Recognition**
We enforce signature recognition by comparing a user’s handwritten signature to a stored template. Our software actively measures stroke order, pressure, and rhythm to verify authenticity during critical transactions such as contract signings or financial approvals.

#### **10. Keystroke Recognition**
We use keystroke recognition to monitor an individual’s unique typing rhythm. Our applications actively record the timing, speed, and pressure of keystrokes to flag deviations from established patterns. Continuous authentication methods help detect unauthorized access and combat fraud in real time.

#### **11. Gait Scanning**
We adopt gait scanning to evaluate and monitor walking patterns unique to each individual. Our systems actively analyze step length, speed, and overall dynamics to identify users discreetly, even from a distance. This innovative approach enhances security in environments where traditional access controls might struggle.  

We design and deploy these biometric authentication technologies with precision to meet our business needs. We integrate both physiological and behavioral biometrics to proactively secure our assets and continuously verify identities with accuracy. We are committed to investing in advanced biometric solutions to improve security and operational efficiency and tailor each tool to our specific risk profile and business environment.


## miniOrange MFA Supports Biometric Authentication {#miniorange-mfa-supports-biometric-authentication}
[miniOrange MFA](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) provides enhanced biometric authentication through its integration of multi-factor security with identity verification to deliver a seamless and secure authentication process. The use of biometric verification methods as standalone authentication tools exposes users to risks from spoofing attacks and data breaches. The combination of biometric authentication with one-time passwords and hardware tokens through miniOrange MFA establishes a dual-layer security system that fulfills regulatory standards while effectively minimizing unauthorized entry attempts. The combination of multiple security elements provides comprehensive compliance solutions for all industries while removing password-related hassles to deliver a smooth, robust login experience through an integrated identity and access  management system.  

The biometric authentication system of miniOrange MFA works harmoniously with Windows, Linux, Mac, and cloud applications. miniOrange supports voice recognition, fingerprint and facial recognition with the help of native-device biometric sensors supporting the FIDO2 protocol. Organizations can boost security by linking biometric authentication to [SAML](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/solutions/saml-mfa), [RADIUS](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/solutions/radius-mfa), OpenID, and JWT protocols to create a solution that matches their specific operational requirements to complement the traditional MFA methods. The security system of miniOrange MFA adjusts its authentication needs automatically through real-time risk evaluations to protect against current cyber threats. Businesses can establish robust, secure biometric authentication through miniOrange MFA to achieve both user-friendly access and compliance. [Contact us](https://www.miniorange.com/contact) to discuss the possibilities for your security.


## Conclusion {#conclusion}
Biometric authentication transforms identity verification through fingerprint scanning, iris recognition, and facial analysis methods. Your investigation into modern security technologies will likely lead you to ask [about WebAuthn](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-webauthn/), which serves as an open standard that uses biometric authentication for secure online access. The security measures become more effective through emerging authentication strategies that use environmental and behavioral cues for their implementation. Digital identity protection requires a complete understanding, which includes [learning about MFA](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-multi-factor-authentication-mfa/) because it implements multiple authentication layers for robust security. Explore our [free trial](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/free-trial) to see how miniOrange can help your business kickstart your biometric authentication journey.


## FAQ’s {#faqs}
### What is the most secure type of biometric authentication?
The most secure biometric authentication is iris recognition. It uses high-resolution imaging to capture intricate, stable iris patterns, even accounting for aging or cosmetic changes, and uses liveness detection and sub-millimeter precision to prevent spoofing.
### Can biometric data be hacked?
Biometric data remains vulnerable to hacking attacks. The unique characteristics of fingerprints, iris patterns, and facial features become vulnerable through spoofing attacks, replay attacks, and storage vulnerabilities. The permanent nature of these identifiers makes it impossible to reset them, so organizations must implement additional security protocols, including multi-factor authentication, encryption, and liveness detection.
### What industries benefit the most from biometrics?
Biometric authentication systems improve security and user experiences across banking, healthcare, hospitality, travel, retail, automotive, border control, law enforcement, education, and cybersecurity.
### How is biometric authentication different from MFA?
Biometric authentication uses your unique physical traits (something you are) for identity verification, while MFA combines multiple authentication factors (something you know, something you have, and something you are) to enhance security.










Biometric logins power multi-factor authentication in software applications. Selecting the right type of biometric authentication method leads to better business security.

11 Types of Biometric Authentication for More Secure Logins

In today’s digital landscape, safeguarding user access is critical. Explore types of authentication methods that secure systems and prevent unauthorized access.

What is Authentication? Different Types of Authentication


Connect Okta & Shopify with any apps on the web using [Okta Integration with Shopify with Okta as IDP](https://plugins.miniorange.com/single-sign-on-sso-for-shopify-using-okta-as-identity-provider). Enable secure SSO into Shopify Plus and Non-Plus stores, streamlining access for both customers and employees.

Okta is a platform in the Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS) category, meaning it allows you, your colleagues, or customers access to all other (company) software with a single set of login credentials. In this case, [SAML SSO with Okta](https://plugins.miniorange.com/shopify-single-sign-on) allows your users to login to your Shopify store and access the storefront using Okta as IDP for authentication.

### What is Shopify SSO? {#what-is-shopify-sso}

miniOrange provides secure Single sign-on (SSO) access to your Shopify applications (both plus and non-Plus stores). Our SSO integration protocols include Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML 2.0), Open Authorization (OAuth), and OpenID Connect (OIDC). These protocols support IDPs like ADFS, Azure AD, Okta, Onelogin, AWS Cognito, GSuite/Google Apps, etc. These integrations are further secured using a [Two-Factor Authentication](https://plugins.miniorange.com/shopify-2-factor-authentication) (2FA) feature.

We strongly recommend enabling Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) alongside SAML SSO with Okta to improve security.

### How can miniOrange help in providing Okta Integration with Shopify with Okta as IDP? {#how-miniorange-help-in-okta-integration}

Okta SSO login for Shopify can be achieved by using our miniOrange Single Sign-On (SSO) Application. The application is compatible with all SAML-compliant Identity Providers and enables secure SAML SSO with Okta into Shopify stores.

It facilitates Okta integration with Shopify by acting as a SAML SP (Service Provider), establishing trust between the application and IDP to securely authenticate and enable single sign-on for the user into the Shopify stores. Now, you can integrate SSO functionality on your Shopify store using Okta as IDP.

Let us understand this with some examples:

1. **Okta SP initiated SSO:** Consider you have a Shopify store and your customers are stored in Okta. By implementing Okta [SP initiated SSO](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/idp-initiated-sp-initiated-login/), customers can log in to your Shopify store using their Okta credentials. Using SSO you delegate authentication, by handing over the responsibility of verifying a user’s credentials (such as username and password) to Okta. Once configured, you can get users logged in to your store without having to worry about the authentication process.

2. **Okta IDP initiated SSO:** For businesses that require more centralized control, Okta IDP initiated SSO allows users to initiate the login process from the Okta dashboard and then be redirected to the Shopify store. This feature is ideal for organizations that need to manage multiple application through Okta.

Our SSO application also allows you to configure the “Login with Okta” widget on your Shopify store. With just a single click, your customers can log in seamlessly, using Okta as IDP.

### Additional Benefits of Enabling Okta Shopify Single Sign-On (SSO) {#additonal-benefits-of-enabling-okta}

1. **Always On Single Sign-On**:Provides Unlimited User Authentications by Okta Shopify Integration with SSO login on Shopify store with Okta credentials.

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2. **Redirect URL**: Adding Redirect URL for switching users to a specific page of Shopify Store after SSO or leaving blank for bringing them back to the page where SSO is initiated.

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3. **Multiple IDPs**: Configure support for SAML SSO with Okta, as well as multiple other IDPs and authenticate different types of users with different IDPs.

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4. **Widget Customization**: Customize the Okta login widget without writing a single line of code.

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5. **Risk Based Authentication**: Enhancing security to your Shopify Store access avoiding Fraud prevention based on IP, Device, Location and Time based rules.

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6. **Sign-Out Endpoint Configuration**: Enable a seamless logout process for users by configuring the logout endpoint for Shopify. This ensures users are securely signed out across all platforms.

### User-sync: Major Benefit of Okta Integration with Shopify SSO {#major-benefits-of-okta-integration}

User Provisioning is an Identity Access Management (IAM) process that involves creating, updating, and deleting a user’s account and access to multiple applications and systems at once. The need for provisioning arises when information is added or modified in an “original system database” (e.g. HR Portal, Institute Database). For instance, hiring, promotions, or transfers are examples of events that can set off provisioning.

&nbsp;

Similarly, deprovisioning deletes user and removes their access from multiple applications and network systems at once. This action is generally triggered when an employee leaves a company or switches roles within the organization. Deprovisioning removes individual accounts on file servers and authentication servers, such as Active Directory, freeing up resources like disk space, ports, certificates and company-issued computers for future use.

&nbsp;

minOrange SCIM User Sync application provides both provisioning and deprovisioning features.

&nbsp;

**Let us try to visualize this with an example:** 

Consider an organization that has two Shopify stores with Okta as their IDP. When a new employee joins this organization and their account is created on Okta, the miniOrange [SCIM User Sync](https://plugins.miniorange.com/shopify-scim-user-provisioning) application automatically creates accounts in the two Shopify stores. Additionally, after logging in using Okta SP initiated SSO, they can be assigned a specific group/tag through which access can be given to certain areas of the Shopify Storefront. This ensures employee’s access rights are up to date, without manual efforts.

If the employee leaves the organization and their Okta account is deleted, the user sync functionality will automatically disable their access to the Shopify accounts. This prevents unauthorized access to corporate resources, improving the security and confidentiality of the organization. This in turn secures the organisation’s applications and reduces administrative costs and time.

By using the [SCIM Provisioning](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-scim-provisioning-with-shopify/) and Deprovisioning Application, you can effectively manage user, access rights, and ensure seamless identity management.

&nbsp;

### Configuring Logout Endpoint for Better User Experience {#configuring-logout-endpoint}

Configuring a sign-out endpoint is crucial for a smooth user experience. Logout endpoints ensure that users are logged out from all connected systems after signing out of the Shopify store. This feature is especially useful in environments with multiple IDPs or applications, as it prevents unauthorized access arising from incomplete logout processes.

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### Conclusion {#conclusion}

Okta Integration with Shopify using Okta as IDP offers a secure and efficient way to manage user authentication for Shopify stores. By leveraging Single Sign-On using Okta as IDP and advanced features such as user sync, risk-based authentication, and sign-out endpoints, you can provide a seamless experience for customers while maintaining robust security.

&nbsp;

For more information, you can visit this step-by-step guide to [setup Okta as an IDP](https://plugins.miniorange.com/single-sign-on-sso-for-shopify-using-okta-as-identity-provider) in your Shopify store today!


Okta Integration with Shopify with Okta as IDP & easily connect Okta & Shopify with any apps on the web. Securely SSO into Shopify applications inclusive of the Plus Stores.

Okta integration with Shopify - Okta Shopify Single Sign-On (SSO)


SSO is an authentication and authorization process that enables a user to access multiple enterprise applications using a single set of login credentials (username and password). Simply put, SSO combines multiple application login screens into one, allowing you to submit credentials once and gain access to all applications without having to log in to each one individually. End users save time and effort by not having to sign in and out of a variety of web, on-premises, and cloud apps on a regular basis.

The simplicity of the [SSO login process on your LMS](https://plugins.miniorange.com/shopify-lms-integration) allows you to onboard students of any age. It saves time and resources that would otherwise be spent on IT helpdesk tickets related to account management.

Schools, colleges, and universities are the foundation of learning, growth, and development for young generations worldwide. They are vital institutions in civilized and developed societies, whether public or private.

These education providers have had to adapt to unexpected global events in recent years. Students of all ages have had to adapt to a learning environment that is unique to our generation. As a result, the technology used by these institutions must evolve with the times.

### How use Multi-Factor authentication (2FA) along with Single Sign-ON (SSO)? {#how-to-use-mfa-with-sso}
1. Firstly, the user navigates to the LMS application login page. For instance www.example.com/login. Users will be able to see the login with the Shopify button. When users click on it they will be redirected to the Shopify login page.
2. The user enters a username and password that they use to login into Shopify. The credentials are validated against the Shopify store. This is the first factor of authentication.
3. The site then prompts the user for two-factor authentication E.g Pop up asking for OTP sent over SMS /Email or push notification.
4. Once users validate their identity against the 2nd-factor method they choose, then they are granted access to the LMS application

### What is the purpose of Shopify CRM/LMS Integration? {#purpose-of-shopify-crm}
Starting an online store has never been simpler than with Shopify. LMS is a global leader in website creation, publishing, and management. The integration of Shopify LMS provides you with out-of-the-box functionality. Your learning management system (LMS) can greatly expand your training program’s reach, speed, and effectiveness with this integration. With a secure connector in place, integration with that existing software allows your new LMS to be fully populated with all your learner details in minutes, rather than hours, days, or weeks. With just a click your Shopify store can be integrated into any LMS platform. It’s a fantastic opportunity for those looking to break into the larger LMS Platforms to increase their productivity.

![](/blog/assets/2023/sso-integration-in-lms-shopify.webp)

**Take Your Store to the Next Level**
An LMS integration can take your Shopify store to the next level and help you attract more potential customers to your site by providing layout options, rich media embeds, comment capabilities, and Previous/Next post navigation. If you have a catalog of existing content created on another LMS that you want to display on Shopify, miniOrange can assist you with that, or if you want to integrate a new LMS with your store for added features and functionality.

**Upsell or highlight your featured collection on the Shopify login page whenever a user tries to SSO into your LMS platform using Shopify**
You can easily highlight your signature products on the Shopify Login page such that whenever a user is redirected to Shopify for login into LMS he will be able to see your highlighted collection of products. Since he is already logged into Shopify he can easily make a quick purchase and head over to the connected LMS platform right after that.

### Why Should You Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) in your LMS site? {#why-to-implement-mfa}
Suppose you have a Shopify store where you sell your LMS educational and teaching courses, video lectures, and other such things. Whenever any customers buy any course in your Shopify store, they will be able to access the same course on your LMS site through the miniOrange [SCIM provisioning application](https://plugins.miniorange.com/shopify-scim-user-provisioning). 

Assume a customer logs in to the store with his username and password and purchases any course. Consider the following scenario: a user shares his LMS site account credentials with friends in order for them to access the course on your LMS. As a store owner, you want to discourage people from sharing their login credentials and prevent multiple people from using the same login credential to access the same account at the same time.

Using MFA on your LMS site, you can simply deny a user access if their location information does not match what is specified on a whitelist, or it can be used as an additional form of authentication alongside other factors such as a password or OTP to confirm that user’s identity.

### Benefits of enabling Multi-factor authentication after successful SSO into your LMS {#benefits-of-enabling-mfa}

1. Enhanced Security: The [implementation of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)](https://plugins.miniorange.com/shopify-2-factor-authentication), which adds an extra layer of security, reduces the chances of an attacker impersonating a user and getting access to the system also no one apart from that user will be able to access the course so it will increase your sales and prevent users from sharing the courses
2. Fraud Prevention: MFA adds an additional layer of protection by ensuring that everyone who is doing Single Sign-on to the LMS using the credentials they use for the Shopify store is who they say they are, and preventing unwanted access.
3. Increased Productivity and Flexibility: Employees can securely access gated content and resources in LMS from almost any device or location, without interfering with the company’s network.
4. Improved User Trust: Users can protect their personal information using multi factor authentication (MFA) without exerting additional effort
5. Reduced Management Cost: If you use MFA, you’ll notice less suspicious behavior on client accounts and spend less money on security management as a result.
6. Adaptive Authentication: Adaptive Authentication (Risk-Based Authentication), an advanced form of Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a process of selecting the right authentication factors depending on a user’s risk profile defined and tends to adapt the type of authorization factors.
7. Adaptability For Different Use Cases: Extra precautions must be taken when dealing with sensitive data. The adaptive MFA evaluates risk based on contextual factors such as geolocation, IP address, and time since the last login.

### Top Use Cases {#top-use-cases}
1. **Shopify LMS SSO** : [Shopify Store as an IDP application](https://plugins.miniorange.com/how-to-use-shopify-as-an-identity-provider-for-single-sign-on-sso) allows users to sign in to your LMS such as ClassLink, Clever, Canvas, docebo, thinkific, or Google Classroom using the credentials they use for Shopify Store. This simplifies ‌the login process and unifies accounts into one directory, making it easier for both you and your clients. Also, you can add an extra layer of protection to your LMS by challenging users to a second-factor authentication such as OTP over SMS, TOTP token, [OTP over Email](https://plugins.miniorange.com/login-with-otp-into-shopify), Hardware tokens, etc. after successfully performing Single Sign-On (SSO) process.
2. **SSO with role-based access** : Besides SSO, this application also allows users to log in to ClassLink, Clever, Canvas, docebo, [thinkific](https://plugins.miniorange.com/thinkific-shopify-integration), and Google Classroom using Shopify store credentials, which can ‌determine the level of access a particular user gets based on the tags assigned in the Shopify store. For Example, teachers can set courses and assign homework assignments, while students can get read-only access to courses and submit their assignments for evaluation.

### Further Reading {#further-reading}
[LMS Shopify Integration](https://plugins.miniorange.com/shopify-lms-integration)  
[Adaptive multi-factor authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/adaptive-multi-factor-authentication-mfa)  
[Securing VPN with MFA](https://blog.miniorange.com/secure-vpn-with-multi-factor-authentication/)  

Shopify LMS integration allows organizations to sell online courses using the Shopify storefront. Enable MFA over your LMS site. Shopify SSO for LMS site.

Shopify and LMS integration | Enable MFA for your LMS site


miniOrange provides the best [OTP Login & Verification Solution](https://plugins.miniorange.com/login-with-otp-into-shopify) for Shopify Plus & Non-Plus Stores. Easily login & register your users using OTP sent over their phone/email, this will keep away spammers or bots from your store and only allow genuine users to access your store. Also, you can prevent fake orders by verifying OTP before the user checks out.

### What is OTP and why is it important for your Shopify store? {#what-is-otp-and-why-it-is-important}

OTP stands for One-Time Password. Users don’t need to remember their credentials to log in if your Shopify store is equipped with a passwordless login method. This boosts your overall user retention rate, since many customers are lost if they fail to remember their credentials or if they aren’t willing to fill up the entire signup (registration) form. According to statistics, more than 50% of people fail to remember their login credentials and reset their passwords more than 5 times in a month’s duration on various platforms. Hence, to avoid this it is better to have a passwordless login solution like [OTP Login for your Shopify store](https://plugins.miniorange.com/setup-otp-login-using-shopify-2fa-otp-app).

Most merchants complain about fewer sales in their stores. Generally, the reason for fewer sales is a non-feasible password-based login solution being used on your Shopify store. Since it is difficult to remember passwords, most of the customers look for an alternative solution (other platforms where they are already signed in) to purchase the product they are looking for. Logging in with an OTP only requires the user to enter their phone number or email address and then enter the OTP they have received on their phone. Authenticating a user with an OTP is a feasible solution and always recommended in regards to software security.

### Login with OTP verification over Email {#login-with-otp-verification}

Some people are too conscious about sharing their phone numbers online, as they are concerned about marketing campaigns flooding their message inbox. Hence, it is better to have an alternative to this solution. We provide OTP verification via email i.e. sending the OTP to the customer’s email address. With the flexibility of sending OTPs on both phone numbers and emails, a user is bound to sign up and stay with your platform. A secure platform always shows a certain level of trust between the platform and its customers.

### Check out why OTP Verification should be a necessity for your Shopify store {#why-otp-is-necessity}
With our ‘Login with OTP’ application, prompt users to verify their phone number using an OTP sent to their phone number or email address before onboarding them. We provide OTP verification on the registration page of the Shopify store. This ensures that only genuine users using unique phone numbers or email addresses are able to register to your Shopify store. This will prevent your Shopify store from bots/spammers and non-genuine users trying to create multiple fake accounts. You can store the phone number of your customers in the phone field of their profile instead of storing it in any other field.

Apart from basic OTP verification, authenticate your user again using a Multi-Factor Authenticator. We provide a variety of authentication options: OTP over apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, OTP over Email, SMS, Hardware Token and Push Notification on your phone. This helps you authenticate the user using a method that is unique only to them, and makes sure that the user itself is logging in and not someone else.

### Are you tired of spammers creating fake orders on your Shopify store? {#tired-of-fake-orders}

We provide [OTP verification on the Checkout Page](https://faq.miniorange.com/knowledgebase/how-to-integrate-otp-on-checkout-to-avoid-spam-orders/) (Cart Page) of Shopify which ensures only verified users can place orders. It is necessary to verify if the user is genuine before accepting an order from them. It will help you to track your inventory more accurately. If bots are spamming your Shopify store with fake orders, it will affect your SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) of an item. When a genuine user tries to make a purchase, it might get lost due to the unavailability of the product caused by fake orders created by the spammer. As a result, OTP verification on the checkout page will help in preventing fake orders made by fraudsters or bots. If you want to make sure that the person making a purchase is genuine, you can add another authentication method on top of it, making it a Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or a Multi-Factor Authentication system.

### Are you looking to authenticate users before they make any changes to their user profile? Are you looking to authenticate users before making any special requests on your Shopify store? {#autneticate-users-before-making-any-request-to-shopify-store}
Our ‘Login with OTP’ application blends with any Shopify theme including Online Store 2.0 themes to add OTP verification on any Shopify page. Hence, a user’s request can be authenticated before they make any vital changes to their account. OTP verification can be prompted before [accessing a specific page or content in your Shopify store](https://plugins.miniorange.com/content-restriction-for-shopify). This will require the user to authenticate before accessing restricted content or making any changes to their profile on your Shopify page.

It is necessary to add Two-Factor Authentication on top of OTP Verification to ensure that the user is genuine. This will also act as another form of verification required from their side before they can make any changes to their profile.

### Are your customers using the same account to purchase products from your store? Are you tired of users sharing their accounts which causes your business to incur heavy losses? {#are-your-customers-using-same-account}

We provide a feature of [session management](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/session-management-and-adaptive-authentication-use-cases/) that ensures that only one device is actively logged in at a time. It also enables you to verify the session of the user on any specific page of your store to confirm that the account is being used only by the account owner’s device. This prevents users from sharing their accounts with multiple users. Using a Multi-Factor Authentication system, it is easy to stop users from sharing their accounts with others, since the authentication methods are specific to the owner’s account.

![Shopify-Login-Page](/blog/assets/2023/otp-blog-image-otp-idea.webp)

### Are you convinced of getting the OTP Login solution for your store? {#getting-an-otp-login-solutions}
We have our own SMS Gateway which perfectly blends with our Login with OTP application. Also, you can use your custom SMS gateway for sending OTPs as we support more than 20 SMS Gateway providers.

### Pricing concerns {#pricing-concerns}
We have very affordable plans available for Shopify Plus & Non-Plus Stores as well. Our monthly plans start from as low as $25/month. Start with Login with OTP and secure your Shopify store today and prevent your store from malicious activities.

### Summary {#summery}
1. OTP Login is a must to secure your Shopify store from various threats which might also affect your business.
2. It is better to verify a user while they are signing up on your Shopify store. OTP Verification on the account registering page is a must to protect your store from spammers.
3. It is necessary to verify a user (using OTP verification) before they place an order on your store to prevent spamming of fake orders and to avoid inaccuracies in measuring your inventory.
4. Account sharing should be prevented to stop incurring heavy losses in your business if you are hosting paid subscription services on your store.
5. It is important to have a feasible login solution like OTP Login to retain more users and to avail them with the ease of login and sign up.
6. OTP Login solution starts at a very cheap price of $25. Considering the benefits it provides, the cost is highly justifiable.

### Further Reading {#further-reading}
1. [Install the Shopify OTP Login Application](https://apps.shopify.com/2-factor-authentication-and-passwordless-login)
2. [Checkout Login with OTP](https://plugins.miniorange.com/login-with-otp-into-shopify)
3. [Know more about Two-Factor Authentication](https://blog.miniorange.com/2fa-security/)
4. [Checkout other solutions provided by miniOrange](http://miniorange.com/)

OTP Login will prevent fake orders & spammers by verifying users with OTP sent on their phone/email at user registration & before checkout on Shopify Store.

The Best OTP Login & Verification solution for Shopify


As we all know that the financial services industry is comparatively more at risk of cyber attacks than any other industry. Among all the cyber-attacks taking place all around the globe, 45% are related to the **banking cybersecurity** (recent PWC survey) & the major reason behind these attacks is money! For the finance sector or overall financial institutions, authentication plays a very important role since they are dealing with other people’s money and very sensitive personal information.

It greatly emerged during the lockdown period when bank branches closed and the digital channel became the only option for consumers to perform banking tasks or to connect with their banks. In the last two years more and more people were turning towards e-banking, online attacks are creating a threat to security for banking rapidly. Such growing cyber attacks motivate banks to go for stronger authentication methods, other than using only general usernames and passwords.

### Problems with Basic Authentication {#problems-with-basic-authentication} 

- The use of **single authentication** (username & password) is a huge problem today. Users put themselves at risk when they use weak or recycled passwords, or compromise their own data security with unsafe behavior, such as sharing passwords.
- In substance, different applications and systems authenticate in several ways, so there will be a higher risk because whilst **one system could also be very strong, another could also be weaker**.
- The problem finance sector face is that users **forget their passwords** all the time which makes it a major issue for security for banking. Suppose, each retail teller had access to about 12 different systems and each one had a different password, so this meant they often forgot one or more passwords and needed to call IT for help.


### How banking cybersecurity can be improved? {#how-banking-cybersecurity-can-be-improved} 

The act of conducting banking transactions through the internet is called e-banking. Prime Banks offers different online banking services to their users. They provide help to their customers to check his/her balance, make deposits, withdrawals, transactions, and even pay the bills from anywhere. This reduces physical visits to the bank, which enables serving more customers at a fraction of the cost and solves the issue of customer convenience. At such a situation security for banking services becomes necessary.**By strengthening the banking cybersecurity** and **protocols** of online banking by **verifying customer identities** with identity proofing and strong customer authentication, it would prevent unrestricted access to private information and further strengthen the relationship with customers and they can perform transactions with more reliability. 

Authentication methods that depend on more than one factor are called **multifactor authentication**. They are stronger, more reliable and harder to compromise method of authentication than single-factor authentication. The Banking Cybersecurity policy is what determines the structure of their identity and access management (IAM) strategy, and which bank multi-factor authentication methods and best practices need to be implemented.

Multifactor authentication includes **Security Q & A, SMS & email OTP, Hardware tokens, Software OTP, Push token, Smart card login, Biometric Authentication**, etc. The user must provide at least **two of the above** factors to gain access to the account with a multi-factor authentication measure. This enhances banking cybersecurity by prohibiting hackers from gaining access beyond the password or pin.

So nowadays, many institutes are turning to modern authentication protocols. This includes multi-factor authentication, and orchestration hubs in light of the onslaught of data breaches, identity theft, phishing scams, malware, and account takeover incidents.

Finally, a **good password policy** and consistent enforcement is key and **Single Sign-On** is even better to increase security for banking! 

### How miniOrange can help Financial Services? {#how-miniOrange-can-help-financial-services}

By enabling Strong Authentication, Fraud Prevention, and Single Sign-On solutions for Banking and Financial Services, miniOrange helps manage risks and comply with FFIEC regulations while providing comprehensive authentication solutions. Here are just a few examples:

**Strong Authentication:**

We help financial services solve various banking cybersecurity issues by leveraging its Strong Authentication solution and services. This will allow two or more components to authenticate a user or approve any online banking transaction – Authentication methods used could be **OTP, Software / Hardware token, Out of band authentication or even a push notification, Face detection or Biometrics**.

**Single Sign-On:**

miniOrange Single Sign-On solution allows Banks to very elegant One Customer view in a very seamless manner. After authenticating with miniOrange SSO, bank users can **easily access and navigate** within numerous applications, such as Banking, Credit Card, and Payment apps, as defined by the bank. miniOrange SSO Solution deploys in minutes and supports a variety of cloud-based applications, web applications, and legacy apps.


![SSO Workflow](/blog/assets/2023/sso-workflow.webp)

**Fraud Prevention:**

miniOrange Fraud Prevention product uses a **behavioral risk** based approach to minimize the risk of improper data access or loss of information. miniOrange Fraud Prevention applies the **real-time analysis** of incoming user requests for corporate information and prevents frauds with its dynamic risk engine in conjunction with enterprise-specific banking cybersecurity policy.

![Fraud Prevention](/blog/assets/2023/fraud-prevention.webp)


### To Summarize {#to-summarize} 

In reality, the threat to financial services from fraudsters was, is and always will be a major complication. Therefore, the financial service industry and strong banking cybersecurity must go together so as to provide a safe environment for the users. They must use updated tools according to the current environment so that security for banking & customer experience can be fulfilled.

### Additional Resources {#additional-resources} 

- [Single Sign-On](https://www.miniorange.com/products/single-sign-on-sso)
- [Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/products/adaptive-multi-factor-authentication-mfa)



Finance industry is comparatively more at risk of cyberattacks than any other industry. Strong banking cybersecurity has become important in todays growing digital society.

The necessity of Banking Cybersecurity


### What is JWT (JSON Web Token)? {#what-is-jwt-json-web-token}
JWT, or JSON Web Token, is an open standard used to share information between two parties securely — a client and a server. In most cases, it’s an encoded JSON containing a set of claims and a signature. It’s usually used in the context of other authentication mechanisms like OAuth, OpenID to share user-related information. It’s also a popular way to authenticate/authorize users in a microservice architecture.  

JWT authentication is a token-based stateless authentication mechanism. It is popularly used as a client-side-based stateless session, this means the server doesn’t have to completely rely on a data store (or) database to save session information.  

JWTs can be encrypted, but they are typically encoded & signed.  We will be focusing on Signed JWTs. The purpose of Signed JWT is not to hide the data but to ensure the authenticity of the data. And that is why it’s highly recommended to use HTTPS with Signed JWTs.

### Structure of JWT {#structure-of-jwt}
JWT structure is divided into three parts: header, payload, signature & is separated from each other by dot (.), and will follow the below structure:

 

![JSON Web Token(JWT) Structure](/blog/assets/2023/jwt-structure.webp)

 

- Header  
The header consists of two parts:  
1. The signing algorithm being used
2. The type of token, which is in this case mostly “JWT”  
- Payload
The payload usually contains the claims (user attributes) and additional data like issuer, expiration time, and audience.  
- Signature  
This is typically a hash of the header and payload sections of the JWT. The algorithm which is used to create the signature is the same algorithm mentioned in the header section of the JWT. Signature is used to validate that the JWT token wasn’t modified or changed during transit. It can also be used to validate the sender.  

The header and Payload section of the JWT is always Base64 encoded.


### How does JWT Authentication work? When to use JWT Authentication? {#how-does-jwt-authentication-work-when-to-use-jwt-authentication}

When it comes to API authentication and server-to-server authorization, JSON web token (JWT) is particularly a useful technology. In terms of Single Sign-On (SSO), it means that a service provider can receive trustworthy information from the authentication server. 

By sharing a secret key with the Identity Provider, the Service Provider can hash a part of a token it receives and compare it to the signature of the token. Now, if that result matches the signature, the SP knows that the information provided has come from the other entity possessing the key.

The following workflow explains the authentication flow:

![JSON Web Token(JWT) Authentication Workflow](/blog/assets/2023/jwt-workflow.webp)


1. User sign-in using username and password.
2. The authentication server verifies the credentials and issues a JWT signed using a private key.
3. Moving forward, the client will use the JWT to access protected resources by passing the JWT in the HTTP Authorization header.
4. The resource server then verifies the authenticity of the token using the public key.  

The Identity Provider generates a JWT certifying user identity, and the resource server decodes and verifies the authenticity of the token using the public key.

Since the tokens are used for authorization and authentication in future requests and API calls great care must be taken to prevent security issues. These tokens shouldn’t be stored in publicly accessible areas like the browser’s local storage or cookies. In case there are no other choices, then the payload should be encrypted.

### How JWT Single Sign-On (SSO) works for multiple web apps {#how-jwt-single-sign-on-sso-works-for-multiple-web-apps}
Single Sign-On (SSO) allows you to authenticate users in your systems and subsequently informs applications that the user has been authenticated. On successful authentication, a JWT token is generated and returned, which can be consumed by the app to create a user session. The token is automatically verified with the IDP when they sign in. The user is then allowed to access the apps without being prompted to enter separate sign-in credentials.  

This security mechanism allows applications to trust the sign-in requests it gets from the systems. Furthermore, these apps will only grant access to the users who have been authenticated by you/admin & hence Single Sign-On (SSO) relies on JSON Web Token (JWT) for securing the exchange of user authentication data. Great care must be taken in terms of how this token is stored and managed.

### miniOrange JWT Authentication for Apps that don’t Support Standard SSO Protocols {#miniorange-jwt-authentication-for-apps-that-dont-support-standard-sso-protocols}

**Usecase: Create a custom SSO between 2 existing and independent websites with their own user database**

With [miniOrange](https://www.miniorange.com/?utm_source=miniorange+Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=JWT+blog&utm_id=JWT+Blog-sso), you will be able to authenticate from existing User Stores and Identity Providers using protocols like SAML, OAuth OpenID, and SSO into websites that only support JWT Tokens. Yes, you heard it right. miniOrange provides Single Sign-On (SSO) for [JSON Web Token (JWT) apps](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/integrations/). This solution allows you to set up [Single Sign-On (SSO)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/single-sign-on-sso?utm_source=miniorange+Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=JWT+blog&utm_id=JWT+Blog-sso) into your applications (say existing or independent), which does not support SSO Standard Protocols (like SAML 2.0, etc).  

This is done using JSON Web Token (JWT) tokens, and it can be easily integrated with your application built in any framework or language. This allows you to enable SSO for any mobile app, client-side apps, static sites which don’t support any SSO standard protocols and are built on platforms like React.js, Firebase, Cordova, Angular.js, etc. 

![miniOrange integration flow with jwt token](/blog/assets/2023/mo-integration-flow-with-jwt.webp)

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#### **miniOrange makes it easy to enable SSO for your application with a simple 3-step process. All you need to do is:**

1. Embed a simple script on your site/app
2. Configure your Identity Provider/user store in miniOrange (optional)
3. Add a JWT App  

&nbsp;  

That’s it!! You can choose to either manage users in miniOrange or choose an external Identity Provider/user store. You can even enable MFA on top of SSO with just a configuration change, no other script changes or coding required. 

&nbsp;  

&nbsp;

#### **Checkout miniOrange’s JWT SSO solution for Most Trending Apps:**

- [Thinkific SSO](https://www.miniorange.com/thinkific-jwt-single-signon(sso)-solution?utm_source=miniorange+Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=JWT+blog&utm_id=JWT+Blog-sso)
- [Webflow SSO](https://www.miniorange.com/webflow-single-sign-on-sso?utm_source=miniorange+Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=JWT+blog&utm_id=JWT+Blog-sso)
- [Squarespace SSO](https://www.miniorange.com/squarespace-single-sign-on-sso?utm_source=miniorange+Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=JWT+blog&utm_id=JWT+Blog-sso)
- [BigCommerce SSO](https://www.miniorange.com/bigcommerce-single-sign-on-sso?utm_source=miniorange+Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=JWT+blog&utm_id=JWT+Blog-sso)  

&nbsp;  

&nbsp;  

#### **Additional Helpful Links:**

- [Setup SSO authentication using JWT (JSON Web Token) | SSO for JWT apps | JWT Authentication| JWT SSO](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lSsEQm_J6E)
- [Setup SSO for any JWT Application](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/content-library/admin-docs/how-to-add-jwt-app)
- [Popular apps that use JWT for SSO](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/integrations/)

What is JWT (JSON Web Token)? JWT, or JSON Web Token, is an open standard used to share information between two parties securely — a client and a server.

What is JWT (JSON Web Token)? How does JWT Authentication work?

**Microsoft’s plan to replace Basic Authentication, with Modern Authentication, from Exchange Online** is being postponed until the second half of 2021 due to the current situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic. You might think: What is replacing basic authentication? Wait, what is Basic authentication in the first place that is being replaced? Continue reading this article to learn more about basic authentication and modern authentication, and why it is happening.

### What is Basic Authentication and its drawbacks? {#what-is-basic-authentication-and-its-drawbacks?}
Basic Authentication is an authentication commonly used for internet resources. Basic Authentication or Basic Auth has the advantage of being relatively simple, **Username and password** are stored in plain text with base64 encoding in a single header field.  

As a result, Basic Auth had to be used in conjunction with SSL in order to encrypt the headers and protect the user’s credentials. Even when HTTPS is utilized, there are still a number of Basic Auth vulnerabilities. A few major being:

- Authentication headers are included in each request, hence the possibility of capturing credentials is essentially limitless.
- Passwords can be cached (and maybe permanently kept) in the browser, providing still another point of vulnerability.
- The entire foundation of basic authentication is built on a very basic and antiquated username-password architecture adding another point of vulnerability to this authentication.
- Basic auth doesn’t support scoping or grading permissions, hence any applications with the user credentials gains potential access to all data a certain user has access to.  

In today’s world, the ideal security and privacy practice are to grant access to exactly the data and resources needed for an application to function, and nothing more. Hence there is a need for an authentication resource that can overcome all these shortcomings/vulnerabilities.

 

### What is Modern Authentication? {#what-is-modern-authentication?}
Modern Authentication is a term used to refer to authentication and authorization protocols that are better designed for today’s world, for Internet-scale and management. These Protocols allows administrators to define rules for 

- Authentication (the process by which anything or someone logs into a system),
- Authorization (mechanisms that ensure you don’t have full access to something by default), and
- Configure Conditional Access Policies (policies that establish the conditions).  

Modern authentication includes/enables authentication features like multi-factor authentication (MFA), smart cards, certificate-based authentication (CBA), and third-party SAML identity providers. Users will be prompted for these additional authentication features based on the conditional access policies configured by the system administrator.

Authentication is based on Token rather than caching or sending username and password over the network, as done in Basic Authentication. Modern authentication protocols like OAuth2.0 allow the users to use services like SSO, enabling a more secure and improved login experience. 

 

### How Modern Authentication works? {#how-modern-authentication-works?}
Username and password will no longer be the primary source of authentication, but will still be required to produce an access token (at least for now) by authenticating with an identity Source/provider. This token contains more specific information about the requestor’s rights and privileges (in the form of a claim) and is validated by application. These Tokens can also be revoked and set to expire on a specific date, giving additional control over who has access to what information.

 

![Modern Authentication and benefits of modern authentication](/blog/assets/2023/how-modern-authentication-works.webp)

 

### Benefits of Modern Authentication {#benefits-of-modern-authentication}
Modern authentication leverages protocols like OAuth2.0 to allow admins/users to fine-tune authentication policy to better control access to resources. Other than being more secure, One of the biggest advantages of Modern Authentication is that it allows admins to configure all policies at one central location which is at the identity provider. This relieves the Administrator from the responsibility of configuring policies for individual apps separately, hence mitigating the chances of missed configuration update for an application leaving a loophole in security. 

 

### Conclusion {#conclusion}
Modern Authentication is unarguably the next stage in the authentication cycle that will replace basic authentication methods. Although the switch is slow and the deadlines(some) for disabling Basic Authentication and less secure app access have been extended, upgrading to Modern Authentication as soon as possible is still recommended.   

Modern Authentication is not only safer than Basic Authentication, but it is also more user-friendly and simplifies the task of the administrator. Multiple of Microsoft’s services like Outlook for Office 365, Outlook 2016 / 2019, Mail for Windows 10 has implemented support for Modern Authentications and the number of applications doing so will keep increasing. You can signup for a demo account for miniOrange IAM solution from here.  

&nbsp;  

&nbsp;  


### External Links {# External Links}
- [General Microsoft Modern Authentication Information](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2015/11/19/updated-office-365-modern-authentication-public-preview/)
- [Enabling Modern Authentication for Skype Online](http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/34339.skype-for-business-online-enable-your-tenant-for-modern-authentication.aspx)

Modern authentication is a authentication method of identity management that offers more secure user authentication and authorization than possible with basic Authentication. Learn about the benefits of using an identity and access management solution to enable modern authentication for your organization.

Organizations are moving to modern authentication, and why should you too?


Single sign-on authentication (SSO authentication) has revolutionized the digital landscape by replacing the traditional login process. Gone are the days of asking users to remember passwords of multiple applications; SSO authentication simplifies the login experience. Additionally, it also enhances security and eliminates the frustration associated with password-based logins. 

Whether you run websites, develop apps, or run a business, user authentication is essential for both logistical and security reasons. We at miniOrange, understand the limitations of passwords and have come up with an ultra-secure  SSO authentication that can streamline user access, bolster security, and offer a better digital experience.

### What is the Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication method? {# What is the Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication method?}

SSO authentication revolutionizes the login experience by allowing users to access multiple applications, services, and accounts with a single login. A notable example is Salesforce's suite of applications, where logging into one grants access to all. This eliminates the hassle of repeatedly entering passwords when switching between applications like Salesforce Sales Cloud and Salesforce Service Cloud.  

The advantages of SSO authentication are many such as, users getting a hassle-free login experience while accessing multiple applications, administrators enjoying improved internal security through centralized monitoring of user accounts, and dealing with fewer password management-related responsibilities. SSO authentication also fosters collaboration and efficiency, such as the ease of sharing documents with other user accounts in the same ecosystem.


### How does SSO authentication work? {# How does SSO authentication work?}

To initiate the access process for a desired application or website, the user follows these steps within the SSO framework:

1. The user attempts to access a specific application or website provided by the Service Provider.
2. The application or website (Service Provider) directs the SSO request to the Identity Provider (IDP) for authentication.
3. The user provides their credentials associated with the Identity Provider to sign in.
4. Upon successful authentication by the IDP, a Single Sign-On response is sent back to the Service Provider.
5. With the received SSO response, the user is granted access to log in and securely utilize the desired resource or application.
6. Within the Service Provider's ecosystem, the user gains the ability to seamlessly access other pre-configured applications or websites through the SSO functionality.

### Is SSO authentication secure? {# Is SSO authentication secure?}

SSO systems are secure when implemented properly and used alongside other cybersecurity measures. They enhance internet security by reducing the reliance on weak passwords and centralizing systems for easier management and protection. However, centralization also presents some risks, as a breach in the central system could grant unauthorized access to all connected apps and tools.

And hence to overcome this issue and for enhance security, adding a two-factor login, such as miniOrange’s 2FA solution, provides an added layer of identity verification without significantly impacting the user experience. Two-factor login is becoming increasingly common, and users generally don't mind the added step for the benefits of prolonged secure access.

### Advantages of Single Sign-On (SSO) Authentication {# Advantages of Single Sign-On (SSO) Authentication}

**A. Enhanced user experience and convenience:**

- Simplifies access to multiple applications and services through a single login.
- Eliminates the need to remember and manage multiple passwords.
- Streamlines user experience, thus saving time and effort.

**B. Improved security and reduced password fatigue:**

- Reduces reliance on weak or reused passwords.
- Enables stronger password policies 
- Minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

**C. Centralized user management and access control:**

- Simplifies administration and maintenance of user accounts.
- Allows for easy provisioning and deprovisioning of user access.
- Enhances control over user access privileges and security policies.


### Single Sign On Authentication methods {# Single Sign On Authentication methods}

Let us have a look at some of the advanced and indispensable Single Sign-on authentication methods for your organization. 

**1. SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language):**  
SAML is a widely adopted standard for implementing Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication, offering several advantages. With SAML-based SSO, users are relieved from manually entering credentials and the burden of remembering and changing passwords. Weak passwords become less of a concern as SAML leverages existing identity information. It seamlessly integrates with existing identity systems like Active Directory, enabling a smoother authentication process. SAML-based SSO provides a secure and convenient method for accessing applications, leveraging existing identity information for an improved user experience and enhanced security.

**2. API Authentication:**  
In today's digital landscape, APIs have gained immense popularity due to their ability to manage and process vast amounts of data efficiently. APIs have introduced a new realm of possibilities in the realm of online security. Among the numerous API authentication methods available, some of the most widely used are HTTP Basic Auth, API keys, and OAuth. 

**3. OAuth:**  
OAuth, a widely used API authentication method, provides a comprehensive solution for both authentication and authorization processes. By defining the scope, OAuth enables the API to authenticate and gain access to the requested system or resource.

**4. OpenID Connect:**  
Its an authentication method that builds upon the OAuth 2.0 framework. It serves as an identity layer and enables applications or websites to authenticate its users and verify their identity. This is done by leveraging an authorization server, which performs the authentication process. Overall, OpenID Connect enables applications to verify the identity of users by relying on an authorization server's authentication.

**5. Smartcard Based:**  
Smartcard SSO authentication uses smartcards as secure authentication token. Each user has a smart card with a digital certificate and private key. Users insert the smartcard into a reader, authenticate with a PIN or biometric, and gain access to authorized resources without further authentication. It enables users to access multiple resources, simplifying the authentication process and enhancing user convenience. This method offers strong security, eliminates the need for multiple passwords, and simplifies the authentication process. 


### Conclusion {# Conclusion}

In the rapidly evolving technology landscape, prioritizing security is essential to differentiate yourself from competitors and deliver a seamless experience to end-users.

Compromising security exposes your company to various risks, including phishing attacks and data breaches. To mitigate such risks, it's crucial to select an authentication system that aligns with your budget and ensures a seamless user experience. As a trusted provider of Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions, miniOrange can help you identify the most dependable authentication solution for your organizational needs. We also provide solutions for WordPress to perform [WordPress SAML SSO](https://plugins.miniorange.com/wordpress-single-sign-on-sso) or [OAuth SSO](https://plugins.miniorange.com/wordpress-sso) using SAML and OAuth protocols. If you have any inquiries regarding the SSO authentication process, feel free to reach out to us at idpsupport@xecurify.com.

### FAQs {# FAQs}  

**1. What is the difference between SSO and SSO authentication?**  
In Single Sign-On, users can access multiple systems or applications using a single set of login credentials. It eliminates the need for users to remember and manage separate usernames and passwords for each system. It enables users to authenticate once and give access to various systems seamlessly.  

Whereas SSO authentication emphasizes the authentication aspect of SSO, where user's identity is verified using a single set of credentials across multiple systems. SSO authentication ensures that the user's login information is securely validated and grants them access to the authorized systems.  

In summary, SSO is the overarching concept of using a single login across multiple systems, while SSO authentication focuses on the authentication mechanism that allows for this seamless access.

**2. What does SSO authentication stand for?**  
SSO authentication stands for Single Sign-On authentication, which is a method that allows users to log in once with a single set of credentials to access multiple applications or services.  

**3. What is the difference between single sign-on and MFA?**  
The difference between single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) is that SSO is a method where users can access multiple applications with a single set of login credentials, while MFA is an additional security layer that requires users to provide multiple forms of authentication, such as a password and a verification code.

Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication enables users to securely log in with a single ID across multiple independent software systems.

What is Single Sign On Authentication | How does it work?


As modern enterprises strive to enhance network security and streamline access control, implementing AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) with a TACACS (Terminal Access Controller Access Control System) server has become a mandatory step in network security best practice. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of **configuring AAA with a TACACS server** for enterprise networks, enabling centralized authentication, granular authorization, and detailed accounting.

### What is AAA? {# What is AAA?}   

In the network security space, **AAA stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting**. It is a framework or concept used for securing enterprise networks through identity management & access control, enforcing security policies, and tracking user activity. This framework provides a comprehensive approach to managing user authentication, determining access privileges, and recording usage information for auditing and accountability purposes. **Radius and TACACS+** are two popular protocols used in AAA services.  


Let us dig more into the three components of the AAA framework:

1. **Authentication:**  
The process of verifying the identity of users or devices attempting to access a network is known as Authentication. This is a fundamental step in the AAA framework, ensuring that only legitimate users gain entry. Some examples of authentication methods are passwords, certificates, biometric factors (fingerprint, facial recognition), or token-based authentication.  
2. **Authorization:**  
The next step in the AAA framework is authorization, which determines the level of access and permissions granted to the authenticated entity. Granular access control policies should be implemented to ensure that users have appropriate privileges based on their roles and responsibilities within the organization.  
3. **Accounting:**  
This step aids in security auditing and fraud detection because it records important information such as login/logout times, session durations, data transferred, and specific actions performed. AAA frameworks provide centralized accounting mechanisms for easy monitoring and analysis of user activity.  


### What is TACACS? {# What is TACACS?}  

**TACACS or Terminal Access Controller Access Control System** is a network protocol and framework used for controlling access to network devices and services. TACACS provides authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) functionality, allowing organizations to secure and manage access to their network infrastructure.

### TACACS Vs.TACACS+ {# TACACS Vs.TACACS+}  
TACACS protocol was first developed by Cisco Systems to facilitate Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting or AAA Services to secure enterprise networks like routers, switches, VPNs, etc. **TACACS+ protocol** is an enhanced version of the older TACACS protocol, also developed by Cisco. TACACS+ provides a more flexible authorization framework, supporting fine-grained access control and a wider range of attributes. It has broader vendor support and is considered more secure than TACACS.

### TACACS+ Vs. HWTACACS {# TACACS+ Vs. HWTACACS}  
**HWTACACS protocol** is another variant of the TACACS+ protocol, which was specifically designed to work with **Huawei networking devices**. But when it comes to TACACS+, it not only works well with Cisco network devices but also supports multiple other vendors and is widely adopted by various manufacturers. HWTACACS is tailored to meet the specific requirements of Huawei devices and may have unique features or integrations with Huawei's ecosystem, whereas TACACS+ is known for its flexibility, advanced authorization options, and stronger encryption.  

### AAA TACACS Server Configuration {# AAA TACACS Server Configuration}
Configuring a TACACS server involves several steps to set up authentication, authorization, and accounting services. Here's a general outline of the process:  

#### Install and Configure TACACS Server Software:
1. Choose a TACACS server software that suits your needs (e.g., miniOrange, Cisco Secure ACS, TACACS.net).  
2. Install the server software on a [dedicated server](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/dedicated-servers){external-dofollow} or virtual machine.  
3. Configure the server software by specifying parameters such as IP address, port number, shared secret key, and authentication methods.  

#### Define User Accounts:  

Create user accounts on the TACACS server, specifying usernames and passwords.
Optionally, you can define additional user attributes like group memberships, access privileges, and authorization settings.  

### Configure Network Devices for TACACS Authentication:

1. Access the configuration interface of your network devices (e.g., routers, switches).
2. Configure the devices to use the TACACS server for authentication by specifying its IP address and port.
3. Set the shared secret key to match the one configured on the TACACS server.

#### Authorization Configuration:

1. Configure authorization settings on the TACACS server to control user access privileges and permissions.
2. Define access policies based on user roles or groups.
3. Specify the level of access granted for various commands or resources.

#### Accounting Configuration:

1. Enable accounting on the TACACS server to track and log user activities.
2. Specify the accounting methods (e.g., start-stop, interim-update) and the type of data to be logged (e.g., login events, command history).

#### Testing and Verification:

1. Test the TACACS authentication by attempting to log in to the network devices using the TACACS server credentials.
2. Verify that the authorization settings are correctly applied, allowing or denying access based on the defined policies.
3. Monitor the accounting logs to ensure that user activities are properly recorded.

### Implementing AAA TACACS with miniOrange {# Implementing AAA TACACS with miniOrange}

You can easily manage and increase the security of all of your network devices like routers and switches with **miniOrange AAA service with TACACS/TACACS+**. Get a centralized dashboard where you can add all your TACACS/TACACS+ devices and configure their authentication source like verifying user identities from your existing databases and directories **like Active Directory or AD**. For increasing or adding the extra layer of Security, you can enable Multi-Factor Authentication(MFA) on top of regular authentication and enable any of the **15+ MFA methods** that miniOrange provides. We support diverse use cases that enterprises require, like **AD authentication + MFA, local authentication + MFA**, and many more.  

You can get a TACTACS+ AAA solution specifically designed to secure all your **Cisco devices like Cisco Routers and Switches** in your entire organization. Secure all your Network Devices like Wi-Fi, Routers, Network Switches, and Firewall and enable MFA without installing any external proxy with the miniOrange solution. Test how our solution will function in your environment with a [one-month full feature free trial/ POC](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/free-trial)

### FAQ {# FAQ}

**What are the other Vendor Network Devices supported by the miniOrange TACACS+ solution other than Cisco devices?**  
  


The miniOrange TACACS+ solution supports multiple vendors like Huawei, Juniper, Fortinet, Arista, Palo Alto, and many more along with Cisco network devices to effortlessly enable AAA services to secure their network devices like Wi-Fi, Routers, Network Switches, and Firewall, etc. Also, if you want to add next-level security, the miniOrange solution can enable MFA by simply using an external proxy.


Implement AAA services for your enterprise network with Tacacs and Tacacs+ servers. This blog provides you with complete knowledge.

A Comprehensive Guide to Implement AAA with TACACS Server for Enterprise Networks


### Double-Up your Atlassian Security with MFA! {#double-up-your-atlassian-security-with-mfa}

miniOrange stands as a reputed partner and provider of security and SSO solutions for multiple platforms being WordPress, Joomla, Shopify, Drupal & many more, within the industry. Built on a strong foundation of security fundamentals, we provide secure and reliable Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions that integrate seamlessly with the customer’s existing frameworks. We provide SSO solutions for all the Atlassian applications using protocols like SAML, OAuth 2.0, OIDC, etc. SSO enables users to securely authenticate with multiple applications by logging in only once – with just one set of login credentials. miniOrange has grown from its initial size of 4 to 150+ now. The company was built from the ground up by a group of experienced technology architects, with a background in security themselves.


Unwilling to continue in their day jobs, the team began miniOrange. Having a deep understanding of security, the miniOrange team applies their technical expertise to create unique and helpful solutions to the needs and challenges of the industry. The company aims to give organizations the ability to securely manage access to all of their web based applications in one place. We are growing day by day and will continue to do so!

&nbsp;&nbsp;

The miniOrange’s expertise in Identity And Access Management (IAM), Single Sign-On, Multi-factor Authentication, Network Security, API Security, Cyber Forensics. The central focus of our products and company revolve around these themes. Our solutions are specific, accurate and, most importantly, great at doing what they’re supposed to: Making you more secure!


### What is MFA/2FA ? {#what-is-mfa/2fa}

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an authentication method that requires the user to authenticate themselves for two or more factors, in order to gain access to company resources, applications, or a VPN. Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) means that users need to provide additional verification factors apart from their username and passwords. These second-factor methods can range from OTP over SMS, OTP over Email, Push notification, Google/Microsoft authenticator, and many more. 

&nbsp;&nbsp;

Having this extra layer of security ensures that the information being accessed is well protected from activities such as phishing, malware, hacking, and many more. Having a strong MFA setup ensures a robust Identity and Access Management (IAM) for your organization and secures your resources.

![2fa](/blog/assets/2023/configure-two-factor-authentication.webp)


The goal of leveraging MFA is to boost security and make a layered defense so that even if one factor (username-password) is stolen, the cyber attacker still has at least one more barrier to breach before successfully breaking into the actual targeted device. The second barrier is also usually harder to breach as compared to simple username passwords.

### How does it work? {#how-does-it-work}

One of the first steps of access control is the identification and authentication of users. There are three common factors used for authentication:

- Something you know (such as a password)
- Something you have (such as a smart card)
- Something you are (such as a fingerprint or other biometric method)

Identification occurs when a user professes an identity (such as with a username), and authentication occurs when users prove their identity. For example, users are authenticated when they provide both their username and correct password. Permissions, rights, and privileges are then granted to users based on their proven identity.

![MFA](/blog/assets/2023/mfa.webp)

### Our Products {#our-products}

![products](/blog/assets/2023/our-mfa-products.webp)

&nbsp;&nbsp;


We offer MFA for Server, Data Center & Cloud. 

- For Server & Data Center, it’s available for **Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, Bamboo & Crowd.**
- For Cloud, we have a solution available for **Jira, Confluence and Bitbucket.**

### Features Our MFA Addons Provide {#features-our-mfa-addons-provide}

#### Supported MFA Methods

We have highest number of supported methods for MFA:
Mobile Authenticator (TOTP)

1. OTP over Email
2. OTP Over SMS
3. Hardware Token (Yubikey)
4. WebAuthn
5. Duo Push Notification
6. Backup Methods
7. Security Questions
8. Backup Codes

Admin options for User management

1. Enable 2FA for Jira Software and/or Jira Service Desk
2. Choose 2FA methods for end users
3. Enable, Disable & Reset 2FA for users 
4. Enable 2FA based on groups
5. Skip 2FA for a specific group

### Security {#security}

#### 2FA for Jira Service Desk 

2FA for Service Desk is the most used feature of our addon. In organizations, there are two types of users – one is employees and the other is customers. 

The employees use multiple applications (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, Jenkins, Sonarqube, etc) and usually there is one central application used to manage all the users at one place, which is known as an IDP(Identity provider). So organizations connect all the applications to the IDP and users login using Single Sign on. And along with Single sign on, they also enable second factor authentication on the IDP itself. 

In Jira Service Desk, as the customers are unlicensed users, they are usually managed on the Jira itself. We allow 2FA for those customers as well. 


#### Brute Force Protection

Brute Force Attacks are hacking methods that use trial and error methods to guess user credentials and gain unauthorized access. 

In the case of 2FA,  there are Brute Force 2FA Attacks. Here hackers first get the credentials and then try all the combinations of the OTP code (which is generally 6 digit) to gain unauthorized access.

Using the Brute force protection feature, you can restrict the number of continuous invalid 2FA attempts, making it impossible for the hacker to guess the OTP.

### Usability {#usability}

#### IP Whitelisting 

Here you can whitelist a range of IPs and the plugin will skip 2FA if the user is trying to login there which improves the usability of users. 

During the pandemic many organizations introduced 2FA. As employees started working from home, they were no longer logging in from the secure company’s Network. So it becomes easier for intruders to get into systems. And to solve this issue, they introduced 2FA. 

Here the IP whitelisting feature helps improve the usability of the employees. The admin can whitelist all the IPs inside the company network. So now if an employee tries to login from within the company’s network then 2FA will be skipped for that user. And if the same user tries to login to Jira from home (via some other laptop or from mobile phone) then the 2FA will be enforced.

#### Remember My Device

This feature helps a user mark some devices as trusted devices. 

So from next time 2FA will be skipped on that device for that user. So users don’t have to enter the 2nd factor again and again.

### 2FA For Atlassian Cloud {#2fa-for-atlassian-cloud}

To enable MFA on Atlassian cloud, you need Atlassian Access. It is a separate module created by Atlassian to provide functionalities like Single Sign on, 2FA and user management for all the cloud applications.

It supports two 2FA methods.

- Mobile Authenticator
- Backup Codes.

If these 2FA methods are sufficient to your organization then you can directly use Atlassian Access. 

**There are two limitations in Atlassian Access:**

1. It supports only 2 basic 2FA methods.
2. It does not allow using SSO and 2FA at the same time for a user.
miniOrange cloud 2FA solution overcomes these limitations. There are a total 3 important use cases where miniOrange cloud 2FA solution will be used:

**Case 1:**

Suppose you are already using 2FA methods like OTP over Email in your organization and you want to enable the same for Atlassian Cloud apps. Then Atlassian Access won’t be sufficient. Here you can use the miniOrange solution where almost all the 2FA methods are supported.

![2fa-methods](/blog/assets/2023/methods-of-2fa.webp)

**Case 2:**

Second case is, your users are stored on an Identity Provider(IDPs), your users login using SSO into Atlassian Applications and you want to enforce 2FA for your users. As Atlassian Access does not allow SSO and 2FA at the same time, it adds a compulsion on Identity Providers to have inbuilt support for Two Factor Authentication. But even many popular Identity Providers like ADFS, Keycloak, Auth0 and Shibboleth don’t support 2FA. Here miniOrange Identity Broker Solution can be used.

![atlassian-cloud](/blog/assets/2023/atlassian-cloud.webp)

**Case 3:**

Third case is, your users are stored on an IDP and your IDP supports 2FA as well. But it does not support the 2FA method that you want, (which you are already using in your organization).

**Contact:  atlassiansupport@xecurify.com**
**Visit: [www.miniorange.com/atlassian](https://www.miniorange.com/atlassian)**

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an authentication method that requires the user to authenticate themselves for two or more factors, in order to gain access to company resources, applications, or a VPN.

Double-Up your Atlassian Security with MFA!


### Managing Access to Legacy and Cloud Applications {# Managing Access to Legacy and Cloud Applications}
Enterprises/Organizations’ needs to preserve and grow virtual workforces while protecting digital transformation efforts have constantly fueled the IAM market. As a result, numerous standards and methodologies for ensuring access for businesses have been developed. 

With the advent of web applications in the industry in the early 1990s, companies turned to Web Access Management (WAM) systems to manage [authentication and authorization](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/authentication-authorization-difference/) to corporate resources. WAM is more commonly known as **Header Based Authentication**, as the user request is authenticated based on the header values of the request. 

The **Federated authentication standards** used today, gained prominence in the early 2000s, and SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS began to gain a foothold in the enterprise, with businesses centralizing their [Identity and Access Management (IAM)](https://blog.miniorange.com/what-is-iam-identity-and-access-management-system/) programs around [IDaaS (Identity-as-a-Service)](https://blog.miniorange.com/what-is-identity-as-a-service-idaas/).

Regardless of how new a company is, it will inevitably possess legacy resources that rely on earlier generation technologies. Because legacy apps are still used by enterprises, a comprehensive IAM architecture cannot ignore them as Enterprises need to SSO into these legacy applications for a seamless user experience. Thus the employed IAM solution must support both legacy and modern technology applications.

 

### Legacy Authentication methods (Web Access Management or WAM) {# Legacy Authentication methods (Web Access Management or WAM)}
Web Access Management is a legacy authentication mechanism for managing authentication and authorization to corporate resources. It was first utilized in the early 1990s. 

A WAM system requests authentication from the end user, then injects identity data via the HTTP headers of a user’s browser’s HTTP request, for consumption by the protected application. This is more commonly referred to as Header Based SSO. These Header values can be configured as required for the application and are sent to the application via an application proxy. 

The following are some of the advantages of employing Application Proxies’ native support for header-based authentication:

- **Provide remote access to your on-premises apps with ease**: App Proxy makes existing remote access architecture easier to manage by eliminating the need for VPN access and on-premises identity management. Users’ sign-in flows remain unchanged, and they can work from any location on any device.  
- **No need to install any extra software**: There is no need to install any extra software or make any changes to your apps because current Application Proxy connectors can be used.
- **A large number of attributes and transformations are available**: Because all header values are adjustable, there is a large number of attributes and transformations to choose from.

![Legacy authentication model](/blog/assets/2023/legacy-authentication-model.webp)

 

### Traditional WAM models are divided into two categories {# Traditional WAM models are divided into two categories}
#### **Agent/plugin-based models**  
In agent/plugin-based models, an agent/plugin is installed on each app or web server. These agents/plugins intercept HTTP requests before they’re sent to the target application (to read the HTTP header data), communicate with the centralized policy server, and enforce access rules. This solution eliminates the requirement for all traffic to be routed through a proxy, allowing for a distributed design, but it comes with the cost of needing to install, update, and administering agent software on each app server in your environment.

#### **Proxy-based models**  
In Proxy-based models, all web traffic is routed through a network traffic manager, where HTTP requests can be rejected or authorized based on policies. This paradigm presented a single point of failure, but it also provided protocol-level granular access control without the need for software installation. 

### Modern Authentication Methods (SAML/OAuth/OpenID) {# Modern Authentication Methods (SAML/OAuth/OpenID)}
Modern authentication techniques, unlike Legacy authentication methods, use a token-based approach. In this paradigm, an identity provider provides a token with information about the user to the application (service provider), such as a JSON Web Token (JWT) or SOAP payload. This token contains user claims that can be used by the application code to make access decisions.

The token paradigm exchanges information between the [identity provider (IdP)](https://blog.miniorange.com/what-is-an-identity-provider-idp/) and the service provider (SP), which is the app, using the end user’s encrypted browser context. Because this architecture does not require direct communication between the IdP and the SP, no networking changes are necessary, no agents are required, and traffic does not need to be routed through a proxy. These advantages have contributed to the creation and popularity of SAML and OIDC, and traditional WAM approaches are now out of favor.

![Modern authentication model](/blog/assets/2023/modern-authentication-model.webp)

 
### Unified IAM Solution for both Legacy and Modern Applications {#Unified IAM Solution for both Legacy and Modern Applications}
As previously stated, all organizations, no matter how young, inevitably have a mix of cloud and legacy resources in their environment, necessitating the use of an IAM solution that provides a seamless, single sign-on experience for end users whether they’re accessing on-premise legacy applications or SaaS solutions.

![miniOrange Unified IAM Model](/blog/assets/2023/miniorange-unified-iam-model.webp)

miniOrange’s [IAM solution](https://www.miniorange.com/) provides best-of-breed architecture by utilizing all available resources to provide a smooth [SSO experience](https://www.miniorange.com/products/single-sign-on-sso). Using miniOrange Legacy Application [SSO modules](https://www.miniorange.com/integrations/), the IAM solution integrates with the existing legacy application, providing users with a seamless, single sign-on experience, regardless of whether the application they are accessing is Legacy or Modern. 
 

### Benefit of unified approach {# Benefit of unified approach}
This solution offers secure and smooth access to any application or resource irrespective of the authentication method supported by them.

Adopt Standards— Embracing SSO standards such as SAML for application access helps maintain IT architecture flexible.
Remove Redundancy—By fully exploiting the features of IdaaS and network traffic managers, legacy WAM providers may sometimes be completely eliminated from the environment.
Scale and Performance—Traffic Managers and Reverse Proxies are designed to protect some of the world’s most complex applications.
Consumer-Grade End User Experience—Extend miniOrange’s best-in-class SSO user experience to apps that IdaaS solutions aren’t built for.
Support for all new use cases—Integration with miniOrange IdaaS positions your organization to enforce [Multi-Factor Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) and safeguard the mobile experience for all of your company’s web apps.
 

### Conclusion {# Conclusion}
By embracing the cloud, organizations can accelerate and gain significant advantages over less agile competition. Needless to say, as the shift cannot happen overnight, organizations will need to maintain their legacy systems for the time being. IT transformation will be accelerated by a modern identity management platform and a smart access management approach that bridges the gap between trusted on-premises applications and the new technologies being adopted.

 

#### **Getting Started with Your Free Trial**
Visit https://www.miniorange.com/businessfreetrial to start your 30-day free trial of our IAM services and see how simple it is to overcome identity and access management difficulties in the cloud.



Extends Modern authentication for users into enterprise Legacy applications, allowing users to login using the same username and password across both, modern and legacy applications.

Header Based Authentication


Your accounts are protected with a password but it might not always be secure. Let’s say you are out with your family and your kid wants to buy a toy and you hand in your credit card to pay for it but it keeps getting declined. You are sure that you have enough balance in it to pay for it, but when you check your bank statement it shows it’s in negative and all your negative thoughts end up coming true.

This means that you have been hacked.

Similar issues might happen with your Jira as well. Hackers out there are always ready to pounce on weak passwords, vulnerabilities or leaks in data. This will lead to the possible revealing of your confidential company data. 

What can you do about it?

Well, don’t worry! You can add an extra layer of security with two-factor authentication.

&nbsp;&nbsp;  

**Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)**, also called two-step verification, is a security process in which a user has to pass two different authentication checks to gain access to their account. It helps you prohibit unauthorized access to your application.

To know more about protecting your Atlassian cloud applications check out our previous blog:-
[How to secure Atlassian cloud applications](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Atlassian-Access-articles/How-to-secure-Atlassian-Cloud-Applications/ba-p/1728600)

[Enable 2FA on Jira for your Customers and skip 2FA for Employees!](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Jira-articles/Enable-2FA-on-Jira-for-your-Customers-and-skip-2FA-for-Employees/ba-p/1719062)

As 2FA functionality is not already provided in Atlassian Server and Data Center, you can use miniOrange 2FA plugins to enable the 2nd factor of authentication and strengthen access to your Jira accounts. 

Our miniOrange plugin provides you with various 2FA authentication methods like OTP over email, OTP over SMS, Google authenticator, Security questions, Yubikey hardware token, etc.

### OTP over SMS/ Email {#otp-over-email}

OTP (One Time Password) is the most famous & convenient validation technique used by a large number of organizations for two-factor authentication. The OTPs are short-lived and are shared with the user at the time of login. That makes it impossible for the hackers to get access to accounts even if they have user’s credentials.

In the SMS OTP validation technique, an OTP is sent to the user’s mobile phone via SMS. The user has to enter it during the 2FA verification step and the user gets application access only if the OTP is correct. 

We also provide the feature of OTP over Email. Here, the OTP is shipped off to the users on their registered email address. When a user attempts to log in to any device, the server sends an email to their registered company email address with the OTP. The user can then use this OTP to log in.

### Advantages of OTP over SMS and Email {#advantages-of-otp-over-sms-email}

- **Low cost & Ready rollout:**

Since mobile phones and email are readily available to everyone, the cost of implementing OTP over SMS and OTP over Email is very low as one doesn’t need anything extra. (If you use hardware tokens as a 2FA method then each user will need a dedicated hardware device)

- **Easy to use (No setup & no instructions):**

Execution of on-demand OTP delivery techniques is moderately easy for organizations. For instance, with SMS delivery, users don’t have to do any kind of setup and don’t need any extra applications, like authenticator apps, to be installed on their device. They just demand a code which they use at login. 

- **No Shared Secret to Crack:**

On-request OTPs are simply arbitrary numbers sent by the server at the time of login, so there’s no shared secret to be taken advantage of.

&nbsp;&nbsp;  

Reach out to us at **support-atlassian@miniorange.atlassian.net** or raise a support ticket by [clicking here.](https://miniorange.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/2)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your Jira account by requiring a one-time code (OTP) in addition to your password. To enable 2FA on Jira using OTP over SMS or email, miniOrange provides add-on for Atlassian Jira. 2FA benefits include increased security, reduced risk of data breaches, and compliance with regulations.

Authentication