In today's world, ensuring the security of your company's data and systems is of upmost importance. One effective way to increase your organization's security measures is by implementing multi-factor authentication also referred to as MFA.
Microsoft Authenticator is one of the main tools that adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity using their mobile device.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to seamlessly integrate Microsoft Authenticator into your company's environment.
Step 1: Review Your Current Security Setup
Before starting this process, you will need time to review and assess your company’s current security setup by making note of any authentication methods currently configured and set in place and then you will need to identify any potential weaknesses or areas for improvement.
Step 2: Set Up Azure Active Directory
Microsoft Authenticator integrates seamlessly with Azure Active Directory or also called Azure AD, which is Microsoft's cloud based identity and access management service.
If you have not already done so, you will want to set up Azure AD for your organization. You can search online for Microsoft's documentation for guidance on how to create and configure an Azure AD tenant.
A simple overview of the process goes like this:
- Sign into the https://portal.azure.com site
- Select Microsoft Entra ID
- Navigate to Identity > Overview > and select Manage Tenants
- Click on Create
- On the “Basics” tab, select the type of tenant you want to create.
- Then select the Next: Configuration option to move to the Configuration tab
- Complete the form on the screen by entering the company name in the Organization name field; the initial domain name, without the .com or anything; and then choose your country.
- Click on the “Review + create” button and review the information you had entered, click the Create button to finish.
That’s it, you just created your tenant in Azure! It should be noted that the account you use to create the tenant will be the first user account added to the domain and it will have full global admin access for management. It is highly recommended that you have more than one global administrator account, at least two and five is often the most that is recommended. Too many cooks spoils the meal or something like that!
Step 3: Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
Once you have created your organizations Azure Active Directory, the next step is to enable multi-factor authentication, typically referred to MFA, for your users. With Azure Active Directory, you can enforce MFA policies that require your users to provide additional verification when signing in. This can include methods such as SMS codes, phone calls, or the Microsoft Authenticator app. The Microsoft Authenticator app is often the best and preferred method to implement.
Step 4: Install Microsoft Authenticator
Instruct your users to install the Microsoft Authenticator app on their mobile devices. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple app store.
Once installed, users can very easily set up the app by following the instructions presented on screen.
Step 5: Configure Microsoft Authenticator
After installing the app, users will need to configure it to work with their account. This process is simple and involves scanning a QR code or entering a code provided during the setup process. Once configured, users can use the app to generate verification codes when prompted during sign-in.
Step 6: Test the Integration
Before fully deploying Microsoft Authenticator across your organization, it is best practice to roll out solutions to a test group to thoroughly test the integration to ensure everything is working correctly. Have a select group of users test the process and provide feedback on any issues they encounter.
Step 7: Roll Out to Your Organization
Once you have fully tested and are confident in the integration and have addressed any issues that were reported during testing, it's time to roll out Microsoft Authenticator to the rest of your organization.
Users will be presented with a screen similar to the example below on the device they are signing into (on the left) and using the authentication app (on the right) they will enter the code and tap on ‘Yes’ to continue logging in.
Always communicate the changes to your users and provide them with any necessary instructions or training materials! You can even copy/paste part of this article to use as your instructions.
