Multi-Factor Authentication has been back in the spotlight recently, with government bodies encouraging individuals and organisations to strengthen their defences against rising cyber threats.
But with attacks becoming more frequent, more sophisticated, and increasingly automated — does MFA still hold up in 2025?
This blog serves as a refresher into what Multi-Factor Authentication is, why your organisation should still use it and how it’s evolving as online fraudsters get more sophisticated.
What is Multi-Factor Authentication?
Multi-Factor Authentication – or MFA – is a security measure that requires users to provide more than one form of verification before accessing an account, system or service.
Rather than relying on a password alone, MFA adds a second (or sometimes third) layer of protection, making it significantly harder for attackers to gain unauthorised access.
MFA typically combines two or more of the following:
- Something you know – Like a password or PIN
- Something you have – Such as a mobile device, security token or one-time SMS code
- Something you are – Biometric data or passkey like a fingerprint or facial recognition
This layered approach reduces the risk of compromised credentials leading to a breach — especially as phishing, credential stuffing and brute-force attacks continue to rise.
MFA isn’t new, but it’s become more critical as organisations digitise more services, adopt remote and hybrid work and face growing compliance demands across highly-regulated sectors like healthcare, finance and government.
How Does Multi Factor Authentication Work?
Multi-Factor Authentication works by asking users to verify their identity in more than one way before they can log in.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what a typical MFA login process looks like:
Step 1: Enter Login Details
The user begins by entering their usual username and password into the login screen.
Step 2: Trigger Secondary Authentication
After entering those details, the system asks for a second form of verification. This could be an OTP sent via SMS or authenticator app, a facial recognition scan, or a push notification on a trusted device.
Step 3: Verify Identity
The user enters this code into the prompt to confirm that it’s really them trying to log in.
Step 4: Secure Access Granted
With both steps successfully completed, the user can now access their account or system securely.
Benefits of Multi Factor Authentication
While passwords remain a common form of protection, they’re often not enough on their own.
Where passwords can be hacked, lost or forgotten, MFA adds an additional layer that significantly improves login security and makes accounts harder to bypass, even if credentials are compromised.
For enterprise and government organisations, the benefits of MFA go well beyond IT. It’s a simple but effective way to reduce cyber risk, meet compliance obligations and strengthen trust in digital interaction.
Protects Against Credential Theft
Stolen or compromised passwords are still one of the easiest ways attackers gain access to user’s accounts.
MFA reduces that risk by requiring a second form of verification, such as a one-time code or biometric check.
This means that even if a password is leaked or guessed, MFA makes it far more difficult for unauthorised users to break in.
Supports Compliance and Security Standards
MFA is now expected across many security frameworks and policies.
From internal governance to government-led programs, it’s becoming a standard requirement for proving you’re protecting access to sensitive systems and data.
For highly regulated sectors like healthcare and utilities, it also helps satisfy audit and procurement processes.
Improves User Trust and Account Protection
People want to feel secure when they log into their accounts.
Whether they’re employees, partners or the public, MFA shows that your organisation takes account protection seriously.
It reassures users that even if their password is compromised, there’s a second layer in place to keep their information safe.
MFA Use Cases for Enterprise and Government
Multi-Factor Authentication isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Depending on what users are trying to access and where they’re logging in from, MFA can be used to tighten security across a range of everyday scenarios.
Public Sector
Government services are increasingly online. That includes everything from Medicare and tax records to grant applications and licensing portals. MFA helps ensure only the right people can access these services, giving users confidence when logging in.
- Government service portals
- Benefit and pension application systems
- Digital identity or licensing platforms
Healthcare
Patients need to trust that their medical records stay private. MFA helps protect access to portals, results and booking systems — and makes it easier for staff to log into clinical systems securely from different locations.
- Online patient portals for test results and appointments
- Hospital and clinic systems used by doctors and nurses
- Remote access to health records and admin tools
Banking
From personal accounts to corporate systems, banks handle large volumes of sensitive data every day. MFA adds a critical layer of protection for both customers and staff, especially in high-risk scenarios such as:
- Logging into online and mobile banking platforms
- Approving high-value transactions or fund transfers
- Staff access to internal systems for account and payment management
Utilities
Energy, water and telecom providers often serve large customer bases and operate critical infrastructure. MFA helps protect customer accounts and reduce fraud, especially when users are accessing:
- Online accounts to pay bills or track usage
- Self-service tools for reporting outages or service issues
- Portals for managing personal or business service plans
Is MFA Right Still Important in 2025?
The short answer is yes — more than ever.
While Multi-Factor Authentication isn’t new, its role in protecting users when interacting with enterprise and government organisations has only grown more critical.
In 2025, cyber attackers are becoming more sophisticated, phishing scams are harder to detect and AI-powered fraud is on the rise.
At the same time, the volume of digital activity has surged. More services are online, more devices are in use, and more people are accessing accounts remotely. That creates more entry points for attackers and more risk for organisations.
MFA continues to be one of the most effective ways to keep unauthorised users out, even if they’ve a stolen a password.
For enterprise and government organisations, that extra step has become a baseline expectation — not just to stop breaches, but to build trust amongst their user base too.
Modern MFA strikes a balance between strong protection and ease of use. Whether it’s a code sent by SMS, an app notification or a biometric prompt, today’s authentication methods can integrate seamlessly into everyday workflows.
In short, MFA still matters because the risks have multiplied. And when implemented well, it remains one of the simplest, most effective ways to shut the door on attackers.
Multi Factor Authentication FAQs
What is MFA?
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds extra layers of security to your login process. Instead of just entering a password, users verify their identity with something they know, have or are — like a code, device, or fingerprint.
How secure is MFA?
Very. Even if a hacker steals a password, they still need the second factor to get in. MFA stops most common threats like phishing, brute-force attacks and credential stuffing.
What channels support MFA?
Multi-Factor Authentication can be delivered through a variety of secure channels, including:
- SMS and email one-time codes
- Rich Messaging apps like WhatsApp, RCS, and Viber
- Push notifications from authenticator apps
- Biometrics such as fingerprint or face ID
What’s the difference between MFA and 2FA?
2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) is a type of MFA, but MFA can go further. While 2FA uses two different factors (e.g. password + one-time code), MFA can include more than two. For example, adding biometrics or behavioural checks as an additional layer of protection.
Why should you implement MFA?
Because passwords alone aren’t enough. Whether you’re securing employee access to internal systems or protecting customer logins, MFA is one of the simplest ways to reduce risk. It shows you take security seriously, helps with compliance, and builds trust with users who expect safer, smarter experiences.
Soprano’s Multi Factor Authentication Solutions
If you’re thinking of strengthening your authentication processes with MFA – you’re in the right place.
For over 30 years, Soprano has been helping enterprise and government organisations deliver secure, reliable communication. In fact, we were the first to deliver a One-Time Password via SMS — and we’ve been innovating in secure messaging ever since.
Today, our MFA solutions support multiple channels including SMS, WhatsApp, RCS and Viber so your customers can verify their identity using the channels they prefer using.
Whether you’re looking to meet compliance requirements, prevent account takeovers or give users more confidence when logging in, we can help.
Reach out to learn more about our enterprise-grade MFA solutions.
