Multi-factor authentication (MFA) software is essential for businesses to secure sensitive data. Whether it’s bank accounts, work accounts, applications, or cloud storage, instituting multi-factor authentication will ensure that only you or other authorized users have access to accounts that are critical to your business, which will protect you from data breaches.

In addition, the software offers features such as threat detection, incident response, remote access, endpoint monitoring, and more, making it a complete security solution.

Before you buy the software, you need to understand what multi-factor authentication software is, its features, who typically buys this type of software, and the benefits it will bring to your business. This buyers guide also covers some key considerations before purchasing software and the latest technology trends in the market.

Here's what we'll cover:

What is multi-factor authentication software?
Common features of multi-factor authentication software
What type of buyer are you?
Benefits of multi-factor authentication software
Key considerations when purchasing multi-factor authentication software
Market trends to understand

What is multi-factor authentication software?

Multi-factor authentication software is a cloud-based tool that helps businesses manage accounts carrying sensitive information via meta-directory, one-tap access, single sign-on, and more.

The software secures the accounts by prompting the owner or stakeholders to prove their identity through a set authentication method. This could be a one-time password (OTP), security key, hardware tokens, app-generated code, a mobile push message, or a phone call to the registered number. Once the user’s identity is proven, the user can access accounts, applications, and systems critical to the business, all in one go.

Multi-factor authentication software is used by businesses in hospitality, finance, healthcare, law, and ecommerce. However, businesses catering to other sectors along with entrepreneurs and individuals can also leverage this technology to enhance data security.

Dashboard in LastPass (Source)

Common features of multi-factor authentication software

Access management	Control who can have access to the accounts that are registered for multi-factor authentication. You can also define user groups and access policies to enhance security.
Credential management	Store usernames and passwords for multiple accounts in one place. Utilize them when facing issues during login and delete or change the information when you are alerted about unauthorized access.
Push notification	Get fast and secure access to single or multiple accounts by approving a push notification for login on your mobile device.
Multiple authentication methods	Select from multiple authentication options such as tapping on a universal 2nd factor (U2F) USB device, approving a push notification, entering an OTP, using biometrics, and more.
Self-service portal	Save time for both you and your administrator by utilizing the self-service feature to add or change credentials, manage accounts, set up threat alerts, and more.
Single sign-on (SSO)	Experience a consistent and hassle-free login experience for single or multiple accounts, whether from the office or a different location via your mobile device.

What type of buyer are you?

Financial businesses: Financial service providers are prime targets of cyber theft. That makes it essential to have a fool-proof multi-factor authentication method in place to ensure data security and protect against breaches.
Such businesses can utilize multi-factor authentication software to secure applications, systems, and networks and can also pick different authentication methods to manage internal and external identities.
Legal firms: It is the ethical duty of a legal firm to protect their clients’ data, so they require multi-factor authentication software. The software can help mitigate the threat to the information infrastructure of these businesses by requesting unique identification information, in addition to a user’s username and password. These businesses can leverage the access management feature of the software to allow authorized access to clients and other stakeholders using a security key.
Healthcare businesses: Healthcare businesses require strong access control to help mitigate security risks related to remote access to patients’ data. Utilizing a fully-featured multi-factor authentication software with access management can help keep data secure. In addition, patients can also leverage the self-service portal to get secure access to the information they need.
Consumer businesses: Data security is essential in the consumer business, both for customers and owners. While customers fear identity theft and misuse of payment options, it is also not pleasant for business owners to fall prey to false payments made by digital thieves. Employing a multi-factor authentication software with a self-service feature will strengthen the security for these businesses, ensuring a hassle-free customer experience.
Corporate enterprises: In the digital workspace, information critical to a business is accessed by partners, employees, and vendors from a multitude of locations and networks. This brings along the risk of security breaches, but a multi-factor authentication software can help mitigate the risk. Not only does it help in user identity verification by gaining visibility into devices, but it also enforces adaptive policies to secure access.

Benefits of multi-factor authentication software

Reduces security breaches: Multi-factor authentication software offers endpoint security and visibility into all the end user devices that have access to sensitive data. This ensures strong authentication and prevents security breaches.
Improves access management: A strong MFA solution combined with convenient features such as a self-service portal or one-tap biometric authentication helps stakeholders to access the information quickly.
Enhance operational efficiency: Notifying stakeholders of each login attempt involves time and effort. However, the authentication software with features such as push notifications can reduce help desk efforts, which will allow them to focus on other essential aspects of the business.

Key considerations when purchasing multi-factor authentication software

Business needs: Every business has different compliance and security policies, depending on the nature of their work. This makes it essential to look for an adaptive MFA software that can align with your business requirements, such as cloud applications, remote access, a self-service portal, and more.
Budget: Price is an important factor when talking about long-term investments, especially in the case of small businesses. This makes it essential to look at the software subscription plans that can be included in the present operational cost of the business.

Market trend to understand

Here is a multi-factor authentication software market trend that you need to be aware of:

AR to soon redefine user authentication: Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have shown promising results in various industries, and now there are plans to use the technology to enhance multi-factor authentication. With the technology in place, an AR interactive system will initiate a conversation with the user to conduct identity tests via questions and images. While the basic principle of authentication remains the same, the AR interactive system will take the place of a textual authentication format. This innovation is currently being tested for its effectiveness, with plans to be launched in the near future.

Note: The application mentioned in this guide is an example to show a feature in context and is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation. It has been taken from sources believed to be reliable at the time of publication.

Passly Alternatives

Top 15 Alternatives

Ping Identity

Ping Identity

OneLogin

OneLogin

Auth0

Auth0

Trusona

Trusona

DigitalPersona

DigitalPersona

Passportal

Passportal

LastPass

LastPass

UserLock

UserLock

ID.me

ID.me

Beyond Identity

Beyond Identity

miniOrange

miniOrange

Sumsub

Sumsub

JumpCloud Directory Platform

JumpCloud Directory Platform

Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator

Rublon

Rublon