Enhancing Remote Access Security with Multifactor Authentication and Access Management

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was the need for a diversification in business operations, and one of the realities of those times which has come to stay is the remote work model. Remote work ensures that work continues without any interruption and that employees can access organization’s data and tools irrespective of time and space. Safe to say that this has become one of the blessings from those uncertain times, though, not without its security implications.

Prior the popularity of the remote work era, traditional on-site network security largely depended on strong passwords and in-person security. As organizations continue to embrace remote work, the need to fully harness its potentials has necessitated the call to secure this hitherto uncharted path, hence, the deployment of the multi-factor authenticator (MFA) and access management protocols.

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

Since employees are required to use data and other organizational resources from wherever they worked from, it became important to protect not just the resources but also the access to them. One of such means to achieve this is with the multi-factor authenticator (MFA). The MFA is a technological security model that requires a varied identification proof before network resources can be accessed. It operates at the endpoints of an organizations’ network combining other security strategies like encryption, access control systems such as the identity and access management (IAM), and network segmentation, to form part of a robust network security architecture and provide a complimentary defense to the standard security system (Novikava, 2024).

MFA provides a multiple layer of verification essential to managing employee and third-party access to an organization’s network or system, thereby preventing unauthorized admittance and guarding against malicious activities such as data breach and theft. The credentials used in MFA may include one-time codes (OTPs) generated for separate logins or biometric data. The identifications however, must be different from and independent of other existing passwords, and must include a regularly updated security protocols and employee training.

In the past, MFA systems relied on the two-factor authenticator (2FA). Subsequently, any authentication process that required two or more identity credentials to access a system and prevent unauthorized access began to be described as multifactor. Multifactor authentication has become a central component of an identity and access management (IAM) framework (Bigelow, Yasar, and Shacklett, 2025).

Types of MFA

There are two broad types of multi-factor authentication and businesses must choose the solution that appropriately suits their employee needs and existing network system.

Adaptive MFA: This is an advanced security strategy that decides which authentication factors is applicable to a user’s access request and login attempt based on business rules and contextual information such as the user’s location and behaviour, device used, and login history, etc. It is also referred to as risk-based authentication because authentication is coordinated with the degree of risk thereby making it more difficult for malicious actors to gain unauthorized access.

Traditional MFA: This uses established identification details and a second factor. An example of this is the 2FA.

How the MFA Works

MFA requires that a user provides additional credentials, besides the username and password, to validate their identity before they are granted access to a network or system. Uniquely, the additional credentials are generated by the MFA platform, such as a unique six-digit code, which is shared with the user via another device in their possession such as a smartphone. The user completes the verification process with the code, thereby, validating the authenticity of their identity and protecting applications, data and other resources. Because the one-time passwords are generated in real time, it becomes difficult for hackers for intercept. Here is a simple process of how the MFA works:

1. Account Creation: The MFA process is initiated when a user creates an account with an employer or a third party. This usually includes setting up a username and password profile, the inclusion of the MFA entails the association of other credentials such as a hardware token, another device such as a smartphone or even a verifiable email address, often for alerts for unrecognized access attempts and account recovery. It also includes other authenticator apps such as the Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator.

2. Access Request: This starts with the regular request for the correct username and password (this is what the user knows – the knowledge factor). It is followed by the remote site connecting with the credentials for verification and the generation of an MFA poser, for instance, a unique, time-limited code is generated by the MFA platform and sent to the user by email or text, or a response elicited from the user’s authenticator app (this is what the user has – the possession factor). The additional security strategy applicable to the MFA is the need for the user to redeem the MFA code via their smartphone through biometric data such as fingerprint or facial recognition (this is what the user is – the inherence factor). MFA works by combining two or more of these factors.

3. Assess Response: The final part of the MFA is where the user completes the authentication process usually by entering the MFA code or by clicking a CTA button. The user is granted access after this process.

A successful initial login process can guarantee a virtual authentication inheritance. This means that with a prior multi-factor authenticated access, a user can be spared further MFA logins on the same device and browser, either permanently or for a certain period, because that point of access has been validated. This is also dependent on the IAM configurations and MFA requirements (Bigelow et al., 2025).

How the MFA Ensures Remote Access Security

Remote work has paved the way for reduced central physical security management. Contrary to the traditional on-site work model, with remote work, the MFA becomes essential because a company’s security team do not a direct control over remote access hardware like routers and modems. It is also impossible to separate organizational resources from personal resources on a home network. Consequently, with remote work presenting with new security realities such as even more vulnerable endpoints, a security approach like the Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) becomes a security option. The ZTNA builds on the MFA security model to ensure that only trusted users can access resources following strict authentication at the network edge.

Benefits of the MFA for Enhanced Remote Access Security

Here are some of the reasons you should implement MFA for a secured remote work system:

• Enhanced Remote Access Security: MFA authenticates the identity of personnel attempting to access a company’s database, even if passwords have been compromised. Alerts from an MFA system makes it easy to detect suspicious login attempts, thereby preventing unauthorized access and malicious activities. It also improves companies’ security infrastructure and response, and fosters the culture of security awareness among both on-site and remote employees.
• Secure Third-party Access: When a third party is required to access a company’s IT resources remotely, MFA adds layers of security at the hardware, software, and personal identity levels. This prevents the breach of data by over 99% just with the passwords alone.
• Regulatory Compliance: MFA ensures adherence to remote work best practices and enhances the protection of personal data which is critical for compliance with data regulatory laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Network and Information Systems Directive (NIS2) and the System and Organization Controls (SOC) Reports. Compliance with these regulations also help organizations to avoid penalties while safeguarding sensitive user data.
• User-friendliness and Convenience: Remote workers can conveniently and easily connect with one another, and with on-site colleagues with a couple of login credentials. The uncomplicated MFA route makes it easy for users to setup and navigate for uninterrupted remote work routines and delivery.
• Improved Productivity: By implementing MFA, organizations can safely extend their business operations beyond a physical office assured of increased productivity and a reduced risk of data loss (Cypfer, 2025).
• User Trust: MFA’s additional layer of security guarantees organizations of customers’ confidence, trust, and loyalty when they are certain that their sensitive information is protected from loss, theft and other forms of cyberattacks.

Disadvantages of MFA

While the benefits of deploying an MFA make it a choice option for organizations to validate users’ identity and enhance remote work access security, there are a few downsides to this security tool that businesses must be aware of for a successful implementation and management.

– Users often forget the passwords and answers to the personal identity validation questions. This may restrain access even with the MFA.

– Since the MFA process requires having access to a hardware like a smartphone and fobs, the loss of these devices threatens the security strategy.

– User resistance as a result of login friction or complexity may discourage users from attempting further login attempts into a network and this may result in apathy and reduced productivity.

– The biometric data calculated by the MFA algorithms for personal identifications, such as thumbprints, may not always be accurate and can create false positives or negatives.

– Since the MFA process is internet-dependent, it is bound to fail in the event of loss of network or server outage. Other factors such as failed SMS delivery or issues with authenticator apps can also make MFA inaccessible.

– Some organizations especially small-to-medium-sized businesses may consider the cost of implementing an MFA system an impediment given the need to invest in software and hardware such as tokens and smartphones. In addition, the expenses of staff training, maintaining, and updating the authentication system can add to operational costs. 

Conclusion

In the contemporary digital landscape with flexible work models, unauthorized access into company database can lead to unimaginable losses and damages, consequently, businesses should relish in the safety that the multi-factor authentication provides especially with regards to enhancing remote access security. When implemented correctly, MFA is a user-friendly security tool and businesses should authenticate and secure their remote connections with the MFA tools. This strategy can be further complemented with other security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, regular security training for staff and assessment and audits to identify threats. Furthermore, it is important that the remote access and identity access management (IAM) technologies are regularly updated and maintained for authorized access and enhanced security. MFA solutions should also be inclusive, without any accessibility challenge for persons with disabilities.

Telliswall Inc. provides the guidance that you need to choose the appropriate MFA solution that suits your remote workforce’s needs, and overcome the hurdles associated with authentication while enforcing a robust remote access security. We provide a secure and reliable integration of MFA into your entire IT security infrastructure for a satisfactory user experience, secured remote work environment, as well as an uncompromised access to your organization’s applications and resources, in compliance with established standards such as the Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service and Open Authentication.

References

Bigelow, S. J., Yasar, K., and Shacklett, M. E. 2025. What is Multifactor Authentication?
https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/multifactor-authentication-MFA

Cooper, V. 2025. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Meaning, Benefits and More
https://www.splashtop.com/blog/multi-factor-authentication?srsltid=AfmBOorEo204La9jOp-o48qLeolNw6I8T_ad2F8mbvkP14p90NKwPQ9A

Cypfer 2025. Securing Remote Access with MFA                                        
https://cypfer.com/securing-remote-access-with-mfa/

Novikava, A. 2024.The Importance of Multi-factor Authentication for Remote Access
https://nordlayer.com/blog/mfa-for-remote-access/

Okta. 2020. Enhance Remote Access Security with Multifactor Authentication and Access Management                                                                         
https://www.bankinfosecurity.com/whitepapers/enhance-remote-access-security-multifactor-authentication-access-w-6957

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Undated. More than a Password: Protect Yourself from Malicious Hackers with Multifactor Authentication
https://www.cisa.gov/MFA