HID and Microsoft set new benchmark for MFA flexibility


Eve Goode
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HID has announced its latest integration with Microsoft Entra ID to enable employees to use their existing physical access cards as a multi-factor authentication (MFA) method.
This will allow employees to access resources such as Entra ID and Microsoft 365.
Organisations will be able to run a password-less environment by simplifying MFA deployment and enabling faster end-user adoption Microsoft Entra ID users.
The integration will expand options for organisations to uniquely adapt their MFA journey while meeting Microsoft’s mandatory MFA requirements and accelerating the path to phishing-resistant password-less authentication.
“Quick, simple and secure MFA”
Eleanor Falla, Senior Product Manager, Microsoft Security stated: “Deploying MFA is one of the most important steps to securing user identities.
“The purpose of Microsoft Entra ID External Authentication Method (EAM) is to extend the purpose of Entra ID’s functionality by enabling organisations to use the third-party MFA solution of their choosing to establish quick, simple and secure MFA.”
She added: “HID’s integration offers flexibility through its many authenticator choices and offers the convenience of choosing from existing physical cards to access both facilities and digital resources as an MFA factor.”
MFA’s impact on risk reduction
A recent Microsoft Research study showed that MFA reduced the risk of security compromise by more than 99.2%.
HID brings MFA deployment to Entra ID users through its HID Authentication Service powered by the HID Authentication Platform.
The secure cloud platform enables organisations to meet Microsoft’s mandatory MFA requirements, whether the organisation is in the early phase of its password-less journey or it’s ready to make the shift to a completely phishing-resistant, password-less authentication path.
It has been specifically developed for highly regulated industries where high assurance is crucial.
The platform simplifies identity establishment, creation, management, use and employs cryptography so that the data is secure.
“We collaborate on driving a password-less future”
Sean Dyon, Director of Strategic Alliances, HID commented: “HID’s longstanding partnership with Microsoft has delivered increasingly valuable MFA innovations as we collaborate on driving a password-less future.
“Our solutions meet enterprises wherever they are on what I call the ‘crawl, walk, run’ path to completely phishing-resistant password-less authentication.”
He concluded: “We recognise the vital importance of effective change management and optimising the user experience at every point in this journey through extensive MFA options that fit a broad range of organisational needs.”