In an era marked by escalating cyber threats and evolving risk landscapes, organisations face mounting pressure to strengthen their security posture whilst maintaining seamless user experiences. At Thales, we recognise that robust security must be foundational – embedded into products and services by design, not bolted on as an afterthought. This principle underpins our commitment to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)’s Secure-by-Design pledge, which calls on software manufacturers to establish security features like multi-factor authentication (MFA) as standard across their product portfolios.

As digital transformation accelerates and attack surfaces expand, the gap between security capabilities and emerging threats continues to widen. According to the 2025 Thales Data Threat Report, organisations are grappling with unprecedented challenges: 69% regard the fast-moving ecosystem as the most concerning GenAI security risk, whilst 83% report that strong MFA is used more than 40% of the time. This indicates both progress and significant opportunity for improvement. These findings underscore a critical reality: whilst security tools and technologies have advanced, comprehensive deployment and consistent enforcement remain essential challenges that demand immediate attention.

This blog examines the pivotal role of multi-factor authentication in modern cybersecurity strategies. We explore the fundamentals of MFA, analyse the evolving threat landscape that necessitates its adoption, and provide practical guidance on implementation. Whether you are a security professional seeking to strengthen your organisation’s defences or an individual user looking to protect personal accounts, this resource offers the insights and actionable steps needed to embrace MFA with confidence and rigour.

Understanding Multi-Factor Authentication: The Basics

Multi-factor authentication verifies your identity using two different forms of identification. Typically this involves something you know (like a password) and something you have (like a code on your phone). Think of it like using an ATM: you need both your bank card and your PIN to withdraw cash.

This dual-layer approach creates a significant barrier for attackers. Even if someone steals your password, they still can’t log in without that second factor. It’s elegantly simple, yet remarkably powerful – your password alone is no longer enough to unlock the door.

The Growing Threat Landscape: Why MFA Is No Longer Optional

Cyberattacks have grown increasingly sophisticated, with stolen passwords at the heart of many breaches. According to the 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, nearly 49% of data breaches involved the use of stolen credentials.

MFA directly addresses this vulnerability. Our own research at Thales demonstrates the critical importance of strong authentication measures. According to the 2025 Thales Data Threat Report, 83% of organisations report that strong MFA is used more than 40% of the time, yet significant challenges remain in achieving comprehensive deployment. This data underscores both the growing recognition of MFA’s importance and the continued need for organisations to strengthen their authentication posture.

Furthermore, our 2025 Digital Trust Index – Third-Party Edition reveals a concerning reality: 40% of users reset passwords once or twice a month, highlighting the inherent weakness of password-only authentication systems. These frequent password resets not only frustrate users but also create security vulnerabilities that MFA effectively mitigates.

How MFA Defeats Common Attack Methods

MFA thwarts the most prevalent attack techniques:

Brute-force and credential stuffing attacks: These automated attacks become practically futile with MFA enabled because guessing the password isn’t enough to break in.

Phishing attacks: Even if you unwittingly hand over your password to a phisher, they still can’t access your account without the one-time code or second factor that MFA requires.

It’s no surprise that CISA’s Secure-by-Design guidelines explicitly call for making MFA a built-in, default security feature. In today’s threat landscape, MFA has evolved from a nice-to-have extra to an essential safeguard.

Thales’ Commitment: Security by Design and by Default

At Thales, we build security into our products by design, baked into our products and services. Our commitment to CISA’s Secure-by-Design pledge is reflected in how we develop features like MFA.
We already implement robust MFA across our cloud services to help safeguard your accounts and data. By requiring two forms of identification to access the Thales Cloud Security Console, we add an extra layer of protection that makes it “much harder for unauthorised users to access sensitive information”. This significantly reduces the risk of breaches and builds trust.

The Principle of Shared Responsibility

Thales’ approach recognises shared responsibility. “Security by default” means we provide secure settings and features right out of the box. However, security is also a partnership – we provide the tools, whilst you play a crucial role by using them.
We’ve made MFA available and straightforward to configure, and we actively encourage customers to use advanced authentication methods. Whilst MFA might not be mandated on all accounts by default today, we strongly recommend that you activate it. By choosing to enable MFA now, you’re not only protecting yourself immediately but also aligning with best practices that Thales and the cybersecurity community advocate globally.

Getting Started: How to Set Up MFA

Enabling multi-factor authentication on your Thales account is quick and straightforward. Here’s how:

1. Log in and navigate to your user settings. Go to Account Settings or Profile, where you’ll find security settings for MFA management. You can find these options in the Thales Cloud Security Console setup checklist.
2. Locate the Multi-Factor Authentication option and click to begin setup.
3. Select your preferred MFA method: authenticator app, SMS, or email.
4. Configure the chosen method:
   • For an authenticator app, scan the displayed QR code with your app ( MobilPASS+, Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, etc.).
   • For SMS, enter your mobile number to receive a verification code.
   • For email, a code will be sent to your registered email address.
5. Save your backup codes. These are your safety net if you lose access to your MFA device. Store them in a secure location like a password manager.
6. Complete and test the setup. Once verified, MFA will be enabled. Log out and log in again to ensure everything works properly.

That’s it! You’ve added a powerful extra layer of security in just a few minutes.

Choosing Your MFA Method: A Comparison

For organisations seeking a comprehensive overview of authentication options, Thales offers an extensive portfolio of MFA tokens and authenticators. Our OneWelcome Authenticators Portfolio includes FIDO2 passkeys, hardware tokens, smart cards, and software authenticators, ensuring secure access across different environments and devices . This breadth of choice allows organisations to select the authentication method best suited to their security requirements and user needs

When setting up MFA, you have several authentication options:

Authenticator App (recommended): Generates a new 6-digit code every 30 seconds. This method is very secure, works offline, and is significantly more phishing-resistant. Pros: High security, no network dependency. Cons: Requires your phone.

Text Message (SMS): Sends a one-time code to your mobile phone. Pros: Easy to use, no app required. Cons: Slightly less secure than authenticator apps due to potential SIM-swapping attacks, but still greatly improves security over no MFA. CISA recommends SMS-based authentication only as a “last resort” when more secure options aren’t available

Email Codes: Sends verification codes to your registered email. Pros: No extra device needed. Cons: Least secure option if your email is compromised. Use only if other methods aren’t feasible, and ensure your email itself has MFA.

Hardware Security Keys: Physical devices, such as Thales FIDO Security Keys that you plug in or tap to verify login. Pros: Highest level of security, phishing-resistant. Cons: Requires purchasing a device.

Which should you choose? If possible, use an authenticator app or hardware key, as these are most secure. For most users, an authenticator app strikes an excellent balance. SMS is a solid fallback, and email can work if necessary – just be aware of the security trade-offs.

Moving Beyond Passwords: Passwordless Authentication

Whilst MFA significantly strengthens security, the most forward-thinking organisations are taking the next step: eliminating passwords altogether. Passwordless authentication removes the vulnerabilities inherent in password-based systems – no passwords to steal, phish, or reuse.

Thales’ SafeNet Trusted Access empowers organisations to build comprehensive passwordless policies using FIDO2 passkeys, biometrics, and hardware authenticators. Our Passwordless 360 approach provides a detailed framework for implementing passwordless authentication across your organisation, combining security, user experience, and regulatory compliance.

Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I have to enter an MFA code every single time I log in?
A: Often not every time. Many systems offer the option to “remember” a device for a certain period (e.g., 14 days). This means you won’t need to enter a code each time on that trusted device. However, use this feature only on personal devices you control, not shared or public computers.

Q: I’m not receiving the MFA code, or it says the code is wrong. What should I do?
A: Common solutions include: For SMS, check your signal and that your phone number is correct in account settings. Wait a moment and click “Resend code” if available. For authenticator apps, ensure your phone’s clock is accurate, as codes are time-based. For email, check your spam folder.

Q: What if I lose access to my phone or MFA device?
A: Use your saved backup codes to log in. If you’ve lost those as well, contact Thales support for account recovery assistance.

Q: Can we use our own IdP?
A: Yes, you can leverage external IdPs like SafeNet Trusted Access by Thales, which allows you to build adaptive authentication policies and leverage a broad range of MFA options.

Q: Can I switch MFA methods?
A: Yes. You can disable MFA and re-enable it with a new method anytime through your account settings.

Q: Is MFA required?
A: Whilst not mandatory on all accounts today, we strongly recommend enabling it. It’s one of the most effective ways to protect your account.

Understanding Digital Trust: Research from Thales

Thales’ research demonstrates the critical importance of strong identity and access management. Our 2025 Digital Trust Index – Third-Party Edition reveals that 96% of third-party users face issues logging into partner systems, wasting 48 minutes a month on average. Additionally, 40% reset passwords once or twice a month – highlighting the need for more secure, passwordless methods like MFA.

The 2025 Data Threat Report further emphasises this urgency. According to our research, 83% of organisations report that strong MFA is used more than 40% of the time, yet challenges remain. As organisations adopt AI and face evolving quantum threats, robust authentication becomes even more critical.

Thales’ comprehensive Identity and Access Management solutions provide organisations with the capabilities needed to improve user experiences whilst strengthening security. From Multi-Factor Authentication and Single Sign-On to passwordless authentication and passkeys, Thales delivers the tools to make IAM processes straightforward and dependable.

Final Thought

Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. We design secure systems, and you make them stronger by turning on protections like MFA. Enable MFA today in your Thales account settings. It takes just a few minutes and makes a significant difference.

Secure by design starts with secure choices.

The post Security by Design: Why Multi-Factor Authentication Matters More Than Ever appeared first on Blog.

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Blog authored by Paul Jameson. Read the original post at: https://www.imperva.com/blog/security-by-design-why-multi-factor-authentication-matters-more-than-ever/