{"id":21395,"date":"2022-04-20T11:00:53","date_gmt":"2022-04-20T05:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arkasoftwares.com\/blog\/?p=21395"},"modified":"2024-03-14T10:09:00","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T10:09:00","slug":"salesforce-mfa-multi-factor-authentication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arkasoftwares.com\/blog\/salesforce-mfa-multi-factor-authentication\/","title":{"rendered":"Salesforce MFA – How Multi-Factor Authentication Transform your Security?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Information Security is undoubtedly the most critical aspect of any online business. As cyberattacks are growing, passwords and other safeguards are incapable of providing adequate security against unauthorized account access.<\/span><\/p>\n

The MFA (Multi-factor authentication) comes as a big boon as it offers an additional layer of protection against security threats like hacking and phishing attacks, that fortifies the security of your enterprise and its customers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keeping the same thing in mind, starting from 1st<\/sup> February 2022, Salesforce has made it mandatory for its customers to use Salesforce MFA to access Salesforce products<\/a><\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n

MFA is an exceptional security technology that requires users to provide two or more pieces of evidence (factors) to validate their identity while accessing the intended systems. If customers don\u2019t enable MFA, then it will be considered a violation of their contracts with Salesforce.<\/span><\/p>\n

Salesforce has indeed strengthened the authentication method, which makes it harder for bad actors to access your Salesforce tools<\/a> and environment. <\/span><\/p>\n

For example, if a users\u2019 password is stolen, even then the attacker can\u2019t access the Salesforce environment<\/a><\/strong>, as he\/she will have to hack or guess the code from the user\u2019s authentication application, which is very much unlikely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Why is Salesforce requiring MFA?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

For any business, it is extremely important to earn the trust of customers to taste success. Salesforce needs to maintain the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of customers’ data to maintain its reputation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"Salesforce<\/span><\/p>\n\n

As the global threat scene is evolving, it is critical for Salesforce to prevent security threats and attacks, which might cripple its business and exploit its consumers. <\/span><\/p>\n

Hence, as a key component of Salesforce\u2019s security strategy, it has asked its customers to implement MFA to prevent any sort of cyber security.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/span>What is MFA and how does it work?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

MFA is a perfect method of enhancing the security of user accounts against several threats like credential stuffing, account takeovers, and phishing attacks. It fortifies the security of your login process by requiring end-users to enter two factors.<\/span><\/p>\n

One factor could be something that the user knows, such as their login ID and password combination. Whereas the Second factor could be physical security keys, location, biometric data, or the possession of a mobile device.<\/span><\/p>\n

A most common example of MFA is withdrawing money from a bank ATM, where the ATM card is something that you possess, and the ATM PIN is something you know. If you produce both factors together, you can withdraw money from an ATM.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\u00a0Read Also: Reasons Why You Should Choose Salesforce for Your Business<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n\n

<\/span>What MFA solutions Salesforce does offer?<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Salesforce offers a simple yet innovative MFA solution, that enables end-users to maintain a perfect balance between user convenience and strong security. Salesforce supports multiple verification methods to meet your enterprise and user requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"Hire<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Salesforce Authenticator Mobile Application<\/span><\/h3>\n

It is a frictionless and fast solution that makes MFA verification seamless via simple push notifications, which integrate into your Salesforce login method. You can use this mobile application<\/a><\/strong> in your MFA implementation to enhance security while offering a wonderful user experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

3rd<\/sup> Party Authenticator Applications<\/span><\/h3>\n

These applications generate temporary codes for authentication based on the OATH TOTP (time-based one-time password) algorithm. We have multiple 3rd<\/sup> party authenticators applications such as Google AuthenticatorTM, Okta, AuthyTM, and Microsoft AuthenticatorTM.<\/span><\/p>\n

Security Keys<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0These physical devices are very easy to use as you don\u2019t need to install them and enter any specific code. Security keys are indeed a robust solution if the end-user is not using mobile devices to access the systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Salesforce<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Salesforce supports NFC, USB, and Lightning keys that support the U2F standards or WebAuthn, including Google\u2019s TitanTM or Yubico\u2019s YubiKeyTM Security Key.<\/span><\/p>\n

Built-In Authenticators:<\/span><\/h3>\n

This MFA verification service uses the mobile or desktop device\u2019s built-in authenticator service, such as Touch ID(R), Face ID(R), or Windows HelloTM.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at the considerations and benefits for each type of verification method offered by Salesforce products.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Details<\/th>\nSalesforce Authenticator<\/th>\n3rd Party Authenticator Applications<\/th>\nSecurity Keys<\/th>\nBuilt-In Authenticators<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nA simple and smart mobile application that enables users to connect with their Salesforce accounts.<\/span><\/td>\nApplications generate temporary and unique, verification codes based on the OATH TOTP algorithm.<\/span><\/td>\nThese are physical devices that use public-key cryptography for user authentication.<\/span><\/td>\nThese devices validate the identity with the help of iris, fingerprint, and facial scan.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Form Factor <\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nMobile applications for Android and iOS<\/span><\/td>\nApplications available in the market that support multiple operating systems<\/span><\/td>\nUSB, NFC, and \u00a0Lightning devices that support the U2F and WebAuthn standards<\/span><\/td>\nAvailable through a device\u2019s built-in authenticator service such as Touch ID, Windows Hello, Face ID, etc.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
User Experience<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nSends push notifications*<\/sup>\u00a0to users\u2019 smartphones for easy and fast access.<\/span><\/p>\n

It validates the request details in real-time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Users can deny fraudulent access requests with a tap.<\/span><\/p>\n

It automates the authentication from trusted sources and locations<\/span><\/p>\n

It can generate the TOTP codes even if there is no connectivity.<\/span><\/td>\n

Wide range of applications to select from.<\/span><\/p>\n

Connectivity is not required.<\/span><\/td>\n

Easy and Fast to use.<\/span><\/p>\n

Identifies and denies fraudulent access requests.<\/span><\/p>\n

Connectivity is not required.<\/span><\/p>\n

Batteries are not required.<\/span><\/td>\n

Easy and Fast to use.<\/span><\/p>\n

No applications are required.<\/span><\/p>\n

Robust public-key cryptography that is unique to every user\u2019s account.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Considerations<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nIt requires a smartphone device.<\/span><\/td>\nIt requires a smartphone device.<\/span><\/p>\n

Typing errors is very much possible while entering codes manually.<\/span><\/p>\n

Invalid codes are possible if the smartphone clock is not in sync with Salesforce.<\/span><\/td>\n

It requires browser support.<\/span><\/p>\n

Users could leave the key plugged in or unattended all the time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Various operational and logistical overhead for purchasing, distributing, and stocking devices to users.<\/span><\/td>\n

The device, Browser, and Operating System must support\u00a0the FIDO2 WebAuthn standard.<\/span><\/p>\n

Built-in authenticator service must setup and enabled<\/span><\/p>\n

Associated with a single device.<\/span><\/p>\n

A supported scanner is needed to perform biometric identification.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Cost<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nFree<\/span><\/td>\nFree and paid versions<\/span><\/td>\nStarts at around $20<\/span><\/td>\nThe cost could be around $25 for biometric peripherals if required<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<\/table>\n\n

<\/span>What’s the difference between 2FA and MFA?<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

You must be familiar with the concept of 2FA (two-factor authentication), it is another method to provide adequate protection against unauthorized access attempts by requiring an end-user to provide multiple authentication factors to validate their identity.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sole difference between 2FA and MFA is the number of factors that are required to log in.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"difference<\/span><\/p>\n\n

MFA needs the user to provide two or more factors to access the system. It provides options to select multiple combinations of authentication methods. Whereas the 2FA is a subset of MFA that requires only two factors to login.<\/span><\/p>\n

From February 1, 2022, the following identity verification methods will no longer meet the Salesforce MFA requirements<\/a><\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\n