Think you’re more secure today than ever before?

On the contrary, cyberattacks are becoming more common, sophisticated, and damaging. That’s why protecting your online accounts has never been more important. Microsoft is well aware of these evolving threats and is tackling them head-on by making multifactor authentication (MFA) mandatory for all Azure and Microsoft 365 admin-related accounts. Here’s what that means for you and why it matters.

What is MFA?

Multifactor authentication (MFA) is an extra layer of security that requires you to provide more than just a password to access your accounts. You may have already experienced it for yourself. For example, after entering your password, you might also need to confirm your identity through an app on your phone or by entering a code sent via text message. Why is this important? It can stop over 99% of attempts to hack into your account. With passwords alone, it’s much easier for hackers to break in and steal your data. MFA makes it much harder for attackers to gain access, even if they have your password.

Why you need to act now

As part of Microsoft’s ongoing effort to improve security, MFA will become a requirement for all Azure and Microsoft 365 admin accounts. This means that at some point soon your organisation will be forced to enable MFA. Microsoft is rolling out this change in phases to give everyone enough time to prepare. Here’s the timeline:

Phase 1: Beginning October 2024, MFA will be required to log into Azure portals, such as the Microsoft Entra Admin Center and the Intune Portal.
Phase 2: Scheduled for early 2025, MFA will also be required to use tools like Azure CLI, PowerShell, mobile apps, and other developer tools.

What you need to do

Starting now, Microsoft will notify Azure administrators of the upcoming change. If you manage a Microsoft Cloud account, it’s a good idea to start preparing for this update to avoid any disruption in accessing your services.

Why this matters

Microsoft’s goal is to help protect your accounts and data from online threats. By making MFA mandatory, this simple change can make a huge difference in preventing unauthorised access and keeping your business safe. We encourage you to plan for this update now to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Need help?

Implementing MFA can be complex. If carried out without sufficient planning, it can result in unintended consequences such as account lockouts. Applicable, a long-standing Microsoft Business Partner, are Microsoft Security experts. We can help you assess[RB5] [IJ6] , design, and implement your MFA strategy to create a safer online environment for your organisation.

Get in touch with one of our Microsoft Certified Consultants today for a more secure business: info@applicable.com