Home
IT Hub

Setting Up Multi-Factor Authentication in Microsoft Entra ID

Microsoft
Reco Security Experts
Updated
July 23, 2024
July 23, 2024

In today's interconnected digital world, securing access to sensitive information is paramount. As organizations increasingly rely on digital platforms like Entra ID to manage their operations and data, the need for robust security measures becomes more critical. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) stands out as a powerful solution to enhance security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of verification before accessing their accounts. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of setting up MFA in Entra ID, ensuring your organization's data remains protected against unauthorized access.

Entra ID serves as a pivotal platform for organizations to streamline operations and manage sensitive data securely. However, the growing sophistication of cyber threats necessitates proactive measures to secure user accounts and confidential information. MFA, as a foundational security principle, adds an extra layer of protection beyond traditional password-based authentication, thereby significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

Understanding MFA

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security mechanism that requires users to verify their identity using multiple authentication factors. These factors typically fall into three categories:

  • Something you know: Passwords, PINs, security questions.
  • Something you have: Mobile devices, smart cards, security tokens.
  • Something you are: Biometric data such as fingerprints and facial recognition.

Why is MFA Necessary for Entra ID?

Entra ID serves as a centralized hub for managing critical organizational data and operations. Implementing MFA ensures that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information, even if passwords are compromised. This additional layer of security helps mitigate the risks associated with phishing attacks, password theft, and credential stuffing.

Steps to Enable MFA in Entra ID

Enable MFA for Users

  1. Log In to the Entra ID Portal: Select "Security. In the Entra ID admin center, click on "Security" from the left-hand menu.
  2. Choose "MFA": Under "Manage," select "Multi-Factor Authentication" to access the MFA settings.
  3. Select Users: Choose the users or groups for whom you want to enable MFA. Based on your organizational needs, you can apply this to all users or specific groups.
  4. Enable MFA: Click on "Enable" to turn on Multi-Factor Authentication for the selected users or groups.

Configure MFA Settings

1. Choose Verification Methods: Entra ID supports various MFA methods, including SMS, phone calls, mobile app notifications, and authenticator apps. Select the methods you want to offer to your users.

Steps:

  • Navigate to the Entra ID portal.
  • Click on Identity.
  • Select users and select the authentication method.

The image above shows the Entra ID portal. The user navigates to the 'Identity' section, selects 'Users,' and then chooses the 'Authentication method' option.

The image above shows a section within the Entra ID portal interface where no default authentication method has been configured.

This image demonstrates the process of setting up SMS as the default authentication method in the Entra ID portal.

2. Allow Users to Set Up: Decide whether users can configure their MFA settings themselves or if administrators will manage this for them.

Steps:

  • Sign in to the Microsoft Entra admin center as at least an Authentication Administrator.
  • Browse to Identity > Users > All users.
  • Select Per-user MFA

The above image illustrates the setup of multi-factor authentication (MFA) on a per-user basis within the Entra ID portal.

The above image shows the process of setting up multi-factor authentication (MFA) per user and disabling it.

3. Set Up Conditional Access (Optional): Use Azure AD Conditional Access policies to control when and how MFA is enforced based on specific conditions such as user location, device state, or application sensitivity.

Conditional Access policies can be applied to specific users, groups, and apps. The goal is to protect your organization while also providing the proper levels of access to the users who need it.

Steps:

  • Sign in to the Microsoft Entra admin center as at least a Conditional Access Administrator.
  • Browse to Protection > Conditional Access, select + New policy, and then select Create new policy.

The image is of the Microsoft Entra admin center interface. The user is signed in as a Conditional Access Administrator and navigates to 'Protection' > 'Conditional Access'. The user has clicked on '+ New policy' and is selecting 'Create new policy' to begin configuring a new conditional access policy."

  • Enter a name for the policy, such as MFA Pilot.
  • Under Assignments, select the current value under Users or workload identities.

The above image shows the interface where users and groups are being verified and selected.

The image shows the process of selecting at least one user or group to create a policy within the Microsoft Entra admin center.

The above image depicts the selection of the MFA test policy has been selected for configuration.

The above image shows control access for whether the MFA test policy is granted or blocked for users.

The screenshot shows that the MFA test policy requires multiple authentication to grant access.

The screenshot shows the click “on” to activate the policy.

Benefits of Implementing MFA in Entra ID

  1. Enhanced Security: Protects against unauthorized access and data breaches.
  2. Compliance: Helps organizations meet regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
  3. User Convenience: Balances security with user experience by offering flexible authentication methods.
  4. Cost-Effective: Reduces the potential financial impact of security incidents and data breaches.

Choosing the Right MFA Method

There are several options to choose from when it comes to selecting the right MFA method. The options include:

  • SMS-Based Authentication: Sends a one-time passcode (OTP) to the user's mobile device.
  • Email-Based Authentication: Sends a verification link or OTP to the user's email address.
  • App-Based Authentication: Uses a mobile app to generate OTPs or approve login requests.
  • Biometric Authentication: Verifies identity using fingerprints, facial recognition, or other biometric data.

Benefits of Using MFA in Entra ID

  1. Increased Security: MFA adds an extra layer of protection beyond just a password, making it significantly harder for unauthorized users to access accounts.
  2. Reduced Risk of Unauthorized Access: Multiple factors are required for authentication (e.g., password + SMS code), so even if one factor is compromised, the account remains secure.
  3. Compliance Requirements: Many regulatory standards and compliance frameworks (like GDPR and HIPAA) recommend or require MFA to protect sensitive data and ensure privacy.
  4. Enhanced User Trust: Users feel more confident knowing that their accounts are protected by advanced security measures like MFA, which can improve trust in the platform or service.
  5. Cost-Effective Security: Compared to the potential costs of a security breach, implementing MFA is a relatively cost-effective measure to prevent unauthorized access.
  6. Flexibility in Authentication Methods: MFA allows for flexibility in the types of factors used (e.g., SMS codes, biometrics, hardware tokens), accommodating different user preferences and security needs.

Using MFA in Entra ID enhances security, reduces the risk of unauthorized access, meets compliance standards, boosts user trust, provides cost-effective security, and offers flexibility.

Conclusion

Setting up Multi-Factor Authentication in Entra ID is a crucial step toward enhancing your organization's security posture. By implementing MFA, you can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and protect sensitive data from cyber threats. Follow the outlined steps to configure MFA in Entra ID and leverage its benefits to protect your digital assets effectively. Embrace MFA as a proactive measure to defend against evolving cybersecurity challenges and ensure secure access management across your organization.

Explore More
See more articles from our Hub

Start Securing Your Entire SaaS Lifecycle

Request a demo