Remote Desktop (RDP) Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Secure your remote desktop environment with two-factor authentication for Microsoft Windows RDP.
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Multi-factor authentication for RDP logons
In today's hybrid work environment, employees often have to connect to remote machines to get their work done. Connecting to a remote desktop usually requires just the machine's name, username, and password. However, without any additional authentication, the machine may be vulnerable to attacks. It is imperative to secure remote desktop connection attempts with MFA to enhance your organization's IT security.
Why? two-factor authentication is non-negotiable for Windows RDP sessions
Microsoft Windows RDP is a powerful tool, but it’s also a top target for cyberattacks. Ever since the onset of hybrid and remote work, threat actors have increasingly focused on compromising remote desktop environments as users are more vulnerable away from the network perimeter. Password-based logins are no longer enough to secure your organization's RDP infrastructure. That’s why enabling two-factor authentication for RDP is essential. ADSelfService Plus' robust Microsoft RDP 2FA ensures only verified users can access your critical systems remotely.
- How it
works? - How to
Configure?
How Microsoft RDP two-factor authentication works using ADSelfService Plus:
- Step 1: The user opens the Windows RDP console and authenticates with their AD credentials.
- Step 2: The user is redirected to the ADSelfService Plus 2FA portal where they verify their identity using the configured 2FA process.
- Step 3: A remote desktop connection is formed with the client machine. The user authenticates themself with their AD credentials once more.
- Step 4: The user is redirected once more to the ADSelfService Plus 2FA portal for identity verification.
- Step 5: After authentication, the user successfully establishes a remote desktop session.
How to configure 2FA for Windows RDP in ADSelfService Plus
- Step 1: Configure the required authenticators.
- Step 2: Enable MFA for Windows machine logins. Select the number of authentication stages to be presented for each RDP 2FA attempt. A maximum of three stages can be enabled.
- Step 3: Enable MFA for Remote Desktop access. Select the type of RDP 2FA your organization needs.
- Step 4: Select the OU, groups, and domains for which 2FA will be enforced.
Fortify Windows RDP with ADSelfService Plus'
two-factor authentication
Effectively enable 2FA for Microsoft RDP using:
A two-pronged RDP 2FA approach
Protect Windows remote access holistically by fortifying both the RDP server (or host machine) and the RDP client machine. This averts data loss due to security breaches like exposed RDP ports, session hijacking, and credential stuffing.
A bevy of authenticators
Choose from up to 20 authenticators, including:
- Biometrics: Facial and fingerprint recognition.
- FIDO passkeys.
- Time-based OTPs (TOTP): Any third party authenticator app, ADSelfService Plus, or native mobile app.
- RADIUS authentication.
- RSA SecurID.
- Push notifications.
This ensures advanced authentication mechanisms are utilized to thwart bad actors from misusing compromised passwords.
Fine-grained setup for AD users
Customize separate 2FA flows for particular OUs, groups, and domains using ADSelfService Plus' policy-based 2FA configuration. This applies authenticators appropriate to the users' privileges, roles, and departments during identity verification.
Risk-based automated access controls
Automate authentication policy controls based on risk factors like IP address, time of access, business hours, and device used with ADSelfService Plus' conditional access feature. This heightens or eases the RDP authentication process based on users' vulnerability to cyberattacks during each remote desktop session.
Machine-focused 2FA for critical systems
Enforce advanced authentication for high-value servers and workstations using ADSelfService Plus' machine-based 2FA. This enforces 2FA during RDP client authentication for these sensitive systems regardless of any 2FA configuration enabled for the user account.
Maximum user adoption
Enforce or encourage user enrollment to RDP 2FA using login scripts, automatic bulk enrollment, and email alerts. This ensures all necessary user identities are defended by ADSelfService Plus' 2FA feature.
authenticators that ADSelfService Plus supports to protect logins
Key benefits of ADSelfService Plus' 2FA for RDP
Extend MFA to Windows, macOS, and Linux systems
Secure device access by requiring multi-factor authentication at login across endpoints joined to your Active Directory, including Windows, Mac, and Linux machines.
Reinforce access control for VPN, RDP, UAC, and OWA
Apply an additional layer of authentication to VPN connections, RDP logins, UAC prompts, and Outlook Web Access (OWA) to defend against credential misuse and ensure that only authenticated users can reach sensitive resources.
Minimize dependence on knowledge factors
Enhance identity security by adopting possession factors and inherence factors options like biometrics, FIDO2 passkeys, and smartcard authentication, effectively reducing password vulnerabilities.
Support major compliance requirements
Meet the demands of regulations like NIST, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and the GDPR by implementing strong, context-based MFA policies aligned with regulatory standards.
Protect Microsoft RDP access with ADSelfService Plus' comprehensive 2FA
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