Secure Active Directory with Duo MFA

Duo Active Directory Sync for MFA

Organizations are facing a growing number of cyberattacks on a daily basis, making it essential to prioritize securing users' accounts. Implementing strong passwords, combined with Duo Active Directory sync for 2FA or MFA, adds an extra layer of security to the traditional username- and password-based authentication.

What is Duo Security?

Duo Security is a cloud-based MFA vendor. It helps enable MFA for Active Directory, enterprise applications, VPNs, and other endpoints. Duo's authentication methods include verifying users' identities with the help of something they know (a username, password, or OTP), something they possess (a device or security token), and something they are (biometrics). Along with Duo directory sync, ADSelfService Plus protects access to enterprise resources, thwarting credential-based attacks using advanced authenticators.

Duo Security authentication with ADSelfService Plus

As an administrator, you can configure Duo Security as one of the MFA authenticators for users in your Active Directory domain to enable:

• MFA for Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.
• MFA for RDP logins.
• MFA for Enterprise application logins through SSO.
• MFA for Outlook on the web logins.

With Duo Active Directory integration through ADSelfService Plus, you can either make Duo Security a mandatory MFA authenticator for users or allow them to bypass it and choose an alternative from the other authentication methods available. The Duo AD integration enables seamless user management by leveraging your existing directory infrastructure. You can also enable Duo Security login for users belonging to specific domains, OUs, and groups, with Duo directory sync ensuring that user permissions and group memberships remain consistent across both platforms.

Once enabled, users must enroll with Duo Security for the authenticator to be enforced during MFA. Duo AD connectivity automatically provisions users based on their Active Directory attributes, streamlining the enrollment process. Duo provides its list of authentication methods from which users can choose a convenient method to verify their identities. The modes of authentication that Duo Security provides are:

• A passcode sent via push notification to the Duo mobile app.
• A passcode sent via SMS.
• A call placed to any landline or mobile phone.
• Security keys such as YubiKey or Feitian.
• Apple Touch ID.

Upon successful enrollment, users will be able to authenticate themselves with the respective Duo Security authenticator and complete the required MFA process.

Significance of using Duo Security with ADSelfService Plus

ADSelfService Plus is an identity security solution that delivers self-service password management, enterprise SSO, and adaptive MFA, among other features. Duo, on the other hand, provides MFA techniques to secure user access to resources. If your organization is Active Directory-based and already has Duo's MFA techniques deployed, then read on to learn how ADSelfService Plus would benefit you.

ADSelfService Plus supports Duo Security as one of its authenticators with native Duo AD integration capabilities. By switching to ADSelfService Plus, you can continue using Duo's MFA methods and retain your users' MFA data, as well as benefit from the solution's other robust features.

For instance, you can securely empower your users with self-service password reset, account unlock, and directory updates. On doing so, you will undoubtedly witness a drastic reduction in the number of help desk tickets and the associated costs.

ADSelfService Plus provides adaptive MFA with support for 19 other authentication methods besides Duo Security, including YubiKey and FIDO2 passkeys. This solution makes effective use of Duo's authenticators and helps you reap added functional and cost benefits while maintaining seamless Duo Active Directory connectivity.

Benefits of using Duo Security in ADSelfService Plus

• Protection against hacks

  The default authentication technique of using only a password is gradually becoming obsolete due to advanced data breach techniques. MFA combats such attacks and protects your organization against breaches.

• Simple configuration

  Configuring Duo Security as an authentication factor in ADSelfService Plus for MFA can be done quickly with minimal steps.

• Real-time audits

  ADSelfService Plus tracks all user actions during identity verification with MFA, generating reports that include information like access time, device utilized, and the outcome of the action.

• Assured security

  Administrators have the option to activate either one or all of the authentication methods for users during MFA to enhance security.