2FA

Two-factor authentication

What is 2FA?

2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) is an authentication method that significantly increases the security of access to accounts and systems by requiring identity verification using two independent factors. Most often, it combines something the user knows (e.g., a password) with something the user has (e.g., a mobile app like Google Authenticator or an SMS code).

The term MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) is sometimes used interchangeably with 2FA, although technically it refers to using two or more different categories of authentication factors. Both methods share the same goal: to effectively reduce the risk of unauthorized access, even if a user’s password is compromised.

Key features of 2FA

User identity verification – confirming login using an additional factor (e.g., a mobile app, token, SMS, email, or hardware key).
Protection against password theft and phishing – attackers cannot gain access without the second authentication factor.
Flexible login methods – support for one-time passwords (OTP), push notifications, and FIDO2 integration.
Centralized access policy management – administrators can define 2FA rules based on roles, location, or login risk.
Integration with existing IT infrastructure – 2FA works with Active Directory, VPNs, cloud systems, and business applications.

2FA is the foundation of security for every organization

Immediate security improvement — without high costs or complex implementation

2FA is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to significantly increase the security of access to IT systems. It protects accounts from takeover even if a password is stolen or leaked from an external service.

Minimizing the risk of human error

Since most incidents start with phishing or weak passwords, 2FA greatly reduces the attack surface at the system’s weakest point — human error. Even accidental disclosure of login credentials does not immediately lead to account compromise.

Flexibility and integration with existing infrastructure

Modern 2FA solutions can be integrated with Active Directory, VPNs, cloud platforms (M365, AWS, GCP), and business applications — without the need to rebuild the environment. They work in on-premise, hybrid, and SaaS models.

Support for regulatory compliance (NIS2, DORA, GDPR)

2FA is explicitly referenced in many regulations as a key element of access control and identity management. This helps organizations meet legal and audit requirements while building real security — not just formal compliance.

High return on investment

The cost of implementing 2FA is low compared to the potential losses after a security incident. In addition, it improves security awareness among employees and builds trust with customers and partners.

Do you need a 2FA solution? Contact us

2FA in the context of NIS2

NIS2 and the amendment to the KSC Act impose on essential and important entities the obligation to implement “appropriate and proportionate risk management measures,” including, among others:

information system security policies,
access management,
protection against unauthorized access,
supply chain security.

In the context of access management and protection, 2FA/MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) is one of the most effective and widely recognized mechanisms.

We implement 2FA tools from leading vendors

We provide end-to-end solutions by designing, integrating, and maintaining modern security systems. Our engineers have many years of experience in deploying PAM and 2FA solutions, confirmed by relevant certifications.

Learn more about our 2FA solutions

FAQs

Implementing 2FA/MFA requires taking into account the specifics of your IT environment. In cloud systems or Windows environments, implementation is relatively straightforward, but challenges arise in areas that cannot be integrated with Active Directory—such as legacy network devices, routers, databases, or Linux systems.

Depending on the type of users and the IT architecture, selecting the right 2FA solution may look different.

Silverfort – fast, agentless 2FA

For office users working in a local Active Directory environment, Silverfort is often the best choice. The platform enables 2FA deployment without installing agents (except for Windows Logon) and without the need to migrate to the cloud.

Thanks to full AD integration, Silverfort makes it easy to introduce granular security policies and protect both user and service accounts. It is an ideal solution for organizations with legacy infrastructure that want to quickly raise their security level without major architectural changes.

Delinea – control and audit of privileged access

In organizations with more complex, heterogeneous IT environments, Delinea is usually a better fit. It offers not only 2FA but also full control and auditing of administrator activities, privilege management, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Delinea requires agent installation, which makes it unsuitable for environments where this is not possible (e.g., routers or switches). However, thanks to AD integration, it can also protect office users—although in simpler environments, Silverfort often remains the better choice.

Summary

Silverfort – for organizations with on-premises Active Directory that want to quickly deploy agentless 2FA.

Delinea – for organizations that need full control over privileged accounts and auditing of administrator activities.

Both solutions support YubiKey hardware tokens and enable 2FA login on Windows systems.

Quite the opposite—when properly implemented, 2FA is almost unnoticeable in day-to-day work. Modern solutions use fast methods of delivering the second authentication factor, such as mobile app push notifications, biometrics, or passkeys, so logging in takes only a few seconds.

The system can also be configured so that confirmation is not required for every login—for example, only when accessing systems from outside the company network or when logging into critical applications. As a result, 2FA increases security without making work more difficult for teams.

For most companies, implementing basic protection (e.g., for domain accounts, email, and VPN) takes 1–2 weeks. If 2FA is to cover multiple business applications or a hybrid environment, the project can be divided into stages. Our engineers help select an implementation model that minimizes downtime and does not disrupt users’ work.