{"id":9343,"date":"2022-03-15T13:39:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-15T13:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/en\/?post_type=blog&p=9343"},"modified":"2026-01-19T16:00:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T16:00:54","slug":"mfa-for-remote-access","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/en\/blog\/mfa-for-remote-access\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Reasons Why MFA for Remote Access Should Be Mandatory"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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While the pandemic may feel like a distant memory, its effects are still causing ripples for businesses worldwide. As companies scrambled to set up their remote working infrastructure and align with government guidance, IT departments often had to forgo their usual due diligence in favor of implementation speed.<\/p>

From Pandemic Response to Permanent Security Challenge<\/h2>

The focus was on productivity, and getting the business operational was the main goal. It makes perfect sense; the world was responding to a complete shift in how we work. But now, we’ve all either heard about or experienced the massive rise in cyberattacks since the pandemic started. And securing everything about how your remote workforce<\/a> connects to the corporate network has become the priority.<\/p>

Focusing on Who Connects, Not Just How<\/h2>

The focus for most companies has been on \u201chow to connect securely.\u201d With the emphasis on the connecting part and not necessarily on ensuring that. Regardless of how the remote workforce gains remote access<\/a>, it helps\u00a0ensure the organization’s security posture<\/a>.<\/p>

The answer was to use the native\u00a0remote desktop functionality built into Windows\u00a0<\/a>for some. Others did the same but used a VPN first to encrypt the connection. Still, others use some form of third-party remote access solution<\/a>, which likely provides even better security and control.<\/p>

Regardless of your answer (and disregarding, for the moment, the apparent or nonexistent cybersecurity value each solution provides), I want to place your focus on the need for multi-factor authentication (MFA) when providing any\u00a0remote access.<\/p>

What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?<\/h2>

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a secure access control process that’s more secure than a password alone. It combines several unique credentials<\/a> for an individual to verify the user\u2019s identity. When dealing with remote access, MFA helps organizations ensure that all remote users are who they say they are when attempting to access devices and systems.<\/p>

Common MFA Methods<\/h3>

An MFA combination involves two or more of the following credentials:<\/p>