Eliminate Credential-Based Attacks With Phishing-Resistant Authentication
Multi-factor authentication and passwordless authentication dramatically reduce the risk of account takeover — the most common initial access vector in enterprise breaches. Modern phishing-resistant authentication (FIDO2, passkeys) eliminates the credential-phishing attacks that bypass SMS and push-notification MFA.
What RLM Delivers on MFA & Passwordless Authentication
Not all MFA is equal. SMS codes and push notifications are better than passwords but still vulnerable to SIM swapping and push fatigue attacks. RLM advises on the authentication upgrade path that provides genuine phishing resistance without destroying user productivity.
How We Approach MFA & Passwordless Authentication
A structured path through the MFA & Passwordless Authentication decision — current-state discovery, shortlist and benchmark, commercial negotiation, then support until it is actually working.
Authentication Posture Assessment
We assess your current authentication landscape — which applications require MFA, which authentication methods are in use, and the gaps where password-only authentication creates account takeover risk.
MFA Method Evaluation
We evaluate authentication methods — TOTP, push notification, FIDO2 hardware keys, passkeys, certificate-based auth — against your user population, device management capability, and the phishing resistance required for high-risk accounts.
Deployment & Enrollment Strategy
MFA rollout requires careful change management — enrollment campaigns, helpdesk preparation, and exceptions management for users with accessibility needs or unusual workflows.
Passwordless Roadmap Design
Passwordless authentication (FIDO2, Windows Hello, passkeys) eliminates the password entirely — removing the most targeted credential type. We design the passwordless adoption roadmap for your application portfolio.
MFA & Passwordless Authentication Evaluation Criteria
Before committing to any MFA & Passwordless Authentication platform, these are the points worth forcing a straight answer on.
Phishing Resistance
SMS MFA and push notifications are vulnerable to phishing. Evaluate whether your highest-risk accounts — executives, IT administrators, finance — are protected by phishing-resistant FIDO2 or certificate-based authentication.
Push Fatigue Attacks
Attackers overwhelm users with push notifications until one is accidentally approved. Evaluate number matching, additional context, and the fraud-resistance measures built into push-based MFA.
Legacy Application Compatibility
Many legacy applications don't support modern MFA methods. Evaluate the remediation path — MFA proxy, application modernization, or risk-based access control — for applications that resist direct MFA integration.
Recovery & Account Takeover
MFA recovery processes are often the weakest link — helpdesk social engineering bypasses strong MFA. Evaluate the account recovery workflow and the identity verification required to reset MFA credentials.
FIDO2 Hardware Key Program
FIDO2 hardware keys provide the strongest phishing resistance but require key procurement, distribution, and spare key management. Evaluate the operational program required to support hardware key deployment at scale.
Regulatory & Compliance Requirements
HIPAA, PCI DSS, and other frameworks have specific MFA requirements. Evaluate the compliance implications of your current authentication methods and the frameworks' acceptance of your planned MFA approach.
"RLM helped us build a security program that satisfied our board and our auditors — without locking us into a single vendor's roadmap. Their independence is the whole point."
We stay involved through implementation, because selection is the easy half.
Where This Matters Most
Sector-specific considerations we see repeatedly in security engagements.
A Sample of the Security Providers We Evaluate
RLM is vendor neutral. These are among 600+ providers in our evaluation set — inclusion here is not an endorsement, and we are paid by the provider you choose, not by any provider in particular. How that works →
Thinking About MFA & Passwordless Authentication?
Start with a no-cost conversation with an RLM security advisor — vendor neutral, no agenda, just clarity on where your gaps are and the right path to close them.
Talk to a Security Advisor