MFA
As threats become more sophisticated, sole reliance on passwords for authentication is no longer tenable. MFA strengthens identity verification by requiring multiple credentials representing independent factors. Architects hold responsibility for judiciously driving MFA adoption to protect against unauthorized account takeover while enabling productivity.
MFA should be mandatory for privileged accounts and highly sensitive systems, given the risks of lateral movement upon compromise. However, overzealous mandates undermine usability, prompting workarounds and resistance. Architects must create nuanced policies and choose frictionless MFA options that balance security with efficiency.
By complementing passwords with an additional factor such as biometrics or one-time codes, the attack surface is greatly reduced. Yet MFA also necessitates contingency mechanisms should factors become temporarily unavailable. With training and layered options, MFA can be strengthened without...