Why Passwords Aren't Enough
Passwords are routinely stolen, guessed, reused, and leaked. When an attacker has a valid username and password, standard login controls don't stop them. They walk in the front door looking like a legitimate user.
Multifactor authentication (MFA) requires a second form of verification beyond the password, such as a code from an authenticator app, a push notification, a biometric, or a hardware token. Even if a password is compromised, an attacker without the second factor can't get in. MFA is one of the highest-impact security controls you can implement, and one of the most straightforward.
Managed MFA vs. Turning It On
Enabling MFA on one application is different from having MFA consistently enforced across every account, system, and access point in your environment. Gaps are common: a legacy application that doesn't support modern MFA, a shared account that was excluded, or a policy that was never applied to remote access.
STACK manages MFA configuration, policy enforcement, and ongoing oversight across your environment so coverage stays consistent and gaps don't quietly accumulate. When new users join, systems change, or access methods shift, MFA policies are updated to match.
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Authentication Methods
Not all MFA methods provide the same level of protection. STACK helps you select and configure the right methods for your environment, balancing security strength with usability for your team.
Authenticator App
Time-based one-time codes generated on a mobile device provide strong protection without requiring a network connection. Resistant to SIM-swapping attacks that affect SMS-based codes.
Biometric
Fingerprint or facial recognition tied to a device provides a seamless login experience with strong identity assurance, supported through Windows Hello and mobile platforms.
Hardware Token
Physical security keys using FIDO2 standards provide the highest level of phishing resistance, requiring physical presence to authenticate. Required by some compliance frameworks for privileged access.
Push Notification
Approval requests sent to a registered mobile device are convenient for most users and provide a clear signal when an unauthorized login attempt is being made.
Passwordless
Modern authentication methods eliminate the password entirely, replacing it with a combination of device trust and biometric verification for a more secure and frictionless experience.
Conditional Access
Risk-based policies enforce stronger authentication when conditions warrant it, such as login from an unfamiliar device, unusual location, or outside normal business hours.
MFA and Compliance
MFA is no longer optional for most businesses operating under compliance frameworks or carrying cyber insurance. CMMC Level 2 requires MFA for all accounts with access to controlled unclassified information. HIPAA guidance identifies MFA as a key control for protecting systems that handle protected health information. PCI DSS requires MFA for all administrative access to cardholder data environments.
Microsoft has also made MFA mandatory for Azure and Microsoft 365 administrative access, phasing in enforcement through 2025 and 2026. If your team manages Microsoft environments, MFA configuration and policy compliance is no longer optional.
How STACK Manages MFA
Deploying MFA once is straightforward. Keeping it consistently enforced across a changing environment is where most businesses fall short. STACK handles configuration, rollout, policy management, and ongoing maintenance so MFA stays effective as your team and technology evolve.
Coverage Assessment
We identify every account, system, and access point in your environment and map where MFA is and isn't enforced, closing gaps before attackers find them.
Configuration and Rollout
MFA is configured and deployed across your environment with minimal disruption, including user enrollment, policy setup, and integration with Microsoft 365, VPNs, and other platforms.
Policy Enforcement
Conditional access policies ensure MFA is applied where it needs to be, with stronger requirements for privileged accounts, remote access, and sensitive systems.
Ongoing Maintenance
New users are enrolled, departing employees are removed, and policies are updated as your environment changes so coverage never drifts out of alignment.
Part of a Broader Security Program
MFA is one layer in a complete identity security program. Paired with PAM controls, SSO, and passwordless authentication, it forms a cohesive defense against credential-based attacks at every level of your environment.
For businesses ready to go further, passwordless authentication builds on MFA by eliminating the password entirely, using cryptographic credentials that can't be phished or stolen from a breach database.
Ready to Close the Credential Gap?
If any account in your environment can be accessed with just a username and password, that account is a liability. STACK can assess your current MFA coverage, identify gaps, and get the right controls in place across your entire environment.