Remote access is essential for modern enterprises. IT administrators, DevOps teams, and vendors need to connect to critical infrastructure using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or Secure Shell (SSH). But many organizations still allow these sessions without enforcing a critical security control: multi-factor authentication (MFA) before the session begins. 

MFA is a proven method to reduce the risk of credential compromise, yet in many cases, it is only enforced at web login portals or management dashboards, not at the moment a privileged session is launched. This leaves a dangerous gap. Once credentials are obtained, attackers can initiate RDP or SSH sessions directly to endpoints without further verification. 

12Port solves this problem by enforcing MFA before every RDP or SSH session, without relying on endpoint agents, proxies, or custom client launchers. This native, seamless approach enhances security and usability while reducing deployment complexity. 

The Case for MFA Enforcement Before RDP and SSH Sessions

Many breaches stem from compromised credentials. Once attackers gain access, they often move laterally through an organization using remote protocols like RDP and SSH. These protocols become the primary vehicle for exploitation. 

According to Microsoft’s 2023 Digital Defense Report, brute-force attacks and credential stuffing are among the most common initial access vectors for RDP connections as attackers take advantage of remote work and cloud services. SSH is equally targeted in Linux and hybrid environments. Without enforcing MFA at the point of session initiation, organizations remain vulnerable even if MFA is required elsewhere in the access workflow. 

Why enforcing MFA before session establishment matters: 

• Stops lateral movement early: Requiring a second factor before a session starts adds a critical layer that stops adversaries even if credentials are leaked. 

• Closes protocol-specific gaps: RDP and SSH are often outside the visibility of traditional MFA workflows. This approach brings them into the fold. 

• Meets compliance mandates: Standards like PCI-DSS, NIST 800-53, and CIS Benchmarks encourage or require strong authentication controls on privileged access. 

Challenges with Traditional PAM Approaches 

While many Privileged Access Management solutions advertise support for multi-factor authentication, the reality is that implementation often comes with significant trade-offs. Most of these tools enforce MFA through methods that rely heavily on endpoint agents or proprietary launchers, which fundamentally alter the way users connect to remote systems. 

The reliance on software agents introduces operational overhead and increases the attack surface across the environment. Each agent must be installed, maintained, and kept in sync with system updates, which complicates deployments, especially in environments with a mix of operating systems, network devices, and third-party access scenarios. 

To enforce MFA, some PAM platforms also require users to abandon their native tools in favor of custom session launchers. This disrupts well-established workflows and introduces friction for administrators and engineers who rely on specific RDP or SSH clients as part of their daily operations. The result is slower adoption and, in many cases, workarounds that reduce security effectiveness. 

Ultimately, these traditional approaches force organizations to choose between stronger security controls and a seamless user experience. That’s a choice no one should have to make.  

12Port PAM Solution: Native MFA Enforcement Without Agents or Launchers 

The 12Port Platform for PAM takes a different approach. We can enforce MFA before every RDP or SSH session using the user’s preferred native client (e.g., mstsc for RDP, PuTTY or OpenSSH for SSH or your favorite client such as RoyalTS, MobaXterm, mRemoteNG, etc.). There are no endpoint agents, no plugins, no custom session launchers, and no client reconfiguration required. 

Key capabilities: 

• True pre-session MFA: MFA prompts are triggered before a session is allowed to establish, stopping unauthorized access at the gate. 

• Client-native experience: Users continue using the tools they already know. No new UI, no learning curve. 

• Protocol-agnostic enforcement: Works across Windows, Linux, and network devices using standard RDP and SSH protocols. 

• Zero agents, zero friction: Simplified deployment and maintenance, with no additional software to install on remote endpoints. 

This architecture enables strong security without compromise. Whether you’re managing a Windows server, a Cisco switch, or a Linux host, our solution ensures only verified, multi-factor-authenticated users can initiate access. 

Why Enterprises Should Care 

Enterprises face increasing pressure to secure privileged access without disrupting productivity. Enforcing MFA before RDP and SSH sessions directly addresses the risk of credential-based attacks and lateral movement, especially when traditional MFA is only applied at the login portal. 

Too often, security tools add friction; forcing users into new workflows or requiring endpoint agents that slow down deployment. This not only affects user adoption but drives up operational costs and complexity. 

A solution that enforces MFA at the session layer while preserving native client access helps organizations meet compliance requirements, reduce risk, and deploy faster. It’s a smarter way to secure critical systems without sacrificing efficiency. 

Built for Security Teams, Designed for Simplicity 

We built the 12Port PAM solution with security and usability at the core. Our approach eliminates the compromises that plague traditional tools.  

• Seamless integration with existing MFA providers (e.g., Duo, Okta, Microsoft Entra) 

• Centralized session auditing and access logs 

• Policy-based access control with role and time-based restrictions 

• Support for native RDP and SSH client tooling across environments 

Whether your organization is large or scaling fast, our platform meets you where you are—without disrupting your operations or requiring specialized infrastructure. 

Try It Yourself: Secure Sessions with Pre-Session MFA 

If you’re evaluating how to enhance your remote access security, enforcing MFA before RDP and SSH connections should be a top priority. Try 12Port Platform today and experience the power of secure, agentless, native-client-based remote access. See how easy it is to implement strong, pre-session MFA without disrupting user workflows or endpoint configurations. 

Download your free trial today 

The post How to Enable MFA Before RDP and SSH Sessions appeared first on 12Port.

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from 12Port authored by Mark Klinchin. Read the original post at: https://www.12port.com/blog/how-to-enable-mfa-before-rdp-and-ssh-sessions/