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.
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.
A structured advisory process — from security posture assessment and market evaluation to vendor selection, contract negotiation, and post-deployment validation — tailored to your risk profile and compliance obligations.
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.
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.
MFA rollout requires careful change management — enrollment campaigns, helpdesk preparation, and exceptions management for users with accessibility needs or unusual workflows.
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.
These are the dimensions that consistently separate effective security programs from expensive ones — and the questions RLM will help you answer before any vendor commitment.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 had three overlapping security tools doing the same job. RLM helped us rationalize the stack, cut spend by 30%, and actually improve our detection coverage in the process."
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.
Speak to a Security Advisor