Last updated on September 17, 2024
As a technology vendor, you might think that implementing Time-Based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) through tools like Google Authenticator or hardware OTP tokens is sufficient to secure users. However, these solutions often fall short of providing the centralized control, advanced security policies, and compliance features required by modern organizations.
This is where Rublon MFA comes in. By integrating with the Rublon Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) platform, you can enable your customers with a state-of-the-art MFA platform that improves their organization’s security posture and meets the stringent demands of today’s cybersecurity regulations.
The Limitations of Basic TOTP Solutions and How Rublon Overcomes Them
1. Lack of Centralized Control
❌ Simple TOTP MFA: TOTP-based solutions like Google Authenticator are often deployed in a “set it and forget it” manner. Each user manages their own authentication, making it impossible for organizations to implement consistent security policies across their systems. This decentralized approach creates a fragmented security environment, leading to weak oversight and inconsistent protection.
✅ Rublon MFA: Rublon MFA provides a centralized management platform, allowing organizations to manage authentication for all users, applications, servers, and endpoints. Administrators can define security policies using Policy-Based Access Control (PBAC), making it easier to enforce granular policies based on user groups or specific applications.
2. Vulnerability to Phishing Attacks
❌ Simple TOTP MFA: Phishing attacks are growing more sophisticated, and basic TOTP solutions are not designed to withstand them. With simple TOTP tokens, attackers can easily intercept codes and compromise accounts.
✅ Rublon MFA: Rublon MFA enables phishing-resistant authentication methods like FIDO2 passkeys and FIDO U2F & FIDO2 security keys, making it much harder for attackers to gain initial access that can be a vector for a phishing attack. This gives organizations peace of mind, knowing their users are protected by strong, modern security standards.
3. Scalability Issues for Larger Organizations
❌ Simple TOTP MFA: Mid-market and enterprise customers need a solution that can scale seamlessly to manage hundreds or thousands of users, enabling unified security management across applications, rather than fragmented TOTP setups for each app. Decentralized MFA like TOTP MFA simply does not provide the oversight and flexibility needed to adapt to larger environments.
✅ Rublon MFA: Rublon MFA offers comprehensive MFA management, enabling organizations to scale security controls across their infrastructure while maintaining centralized oversight. This ensures consistent, secure access management, no matter how large the organization grows.
4. Limited Authentication Options
❌ Simple TOTP MFA: Basic TOTP solutions offer a single authentication method, leaving organizations vulnerable to phishing and other attacks. These solutions don’t adapt to evolving threats and don’t give administrators the flexibility to choose from multiple secure methods.
✅ Rublon MFA: Rublon MFA supports a wide range of authentication methods, including phishing-resistant FIDO2/U2F security keys, passkeys, and Mobile Push notifications. Administrators can easily decide which methods to use for different user groups, providing more robust protection and greater control.
5. Inadequate Compliance Monitoring
❌ Simple TOTP MFA: Decentralized TOTP solutions don’t offer the visibility or reporting tools required for compliance with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, PCI DSS, or FISMA. Without proper logging and auditing, organizations cannot provide proof of secure authentication.
✅ Rublon MFA: Rublon MFA includes Audit Logs and Authentication Logs, offering full transparency into who accessed which systems and when. This level of oversight helps organizations meet compliance requirements, pass security audits, and maintain a robust security posture.
Focus on Core Business And Outsource MFA to Rublon
Keeping up with the latest security threats and MFA trends isn’t the main focus for most technology vendors. Constantly updating and maintaining MFA systems to meet evolving standards, such as ensuring phishing resistance, can consume valuable resources. By outsourcing MFA to a specialized provider like Rublon, vendors can rest assured that their customers have the most secure and up-to-date authentication technology, without the burden of maintaining it themselves.
Close Security Gaps with Rublon MFA
TOTP-based solutions might not be compatible with all applications, VPNs, or endpoints, leading to security gaps where some resources are left unprotected by multi-factor authentication (MFA). This creates a significant vulnerability, as hackers only need to exploit one weak point to gain access to an organization’s network. A case in point is the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, where a single compromised VPN account, protected only by a password, led to a major cybersecurity incident. By integrating with Rublon MFA, you can help your clients avoid such scenarios by ensuring comprehensive multi-step authentication coverage across all resources.
Key Differences Between Rublon MFA and Simple TOTP MFA like Google Authenticator
It’s essential to clarify the differences between Rublon MFA and simpler TOTP solutions like Google Authenticator. While Google Authenticator is a useful tool for individual users, it lacks the advanced features, security policies, and centralized management capabilities required by organizations. Below is a comparison that highlights the key differences:
| Feature | Rublon MFA | Google Authenticator |
| Authentication Methods | Multiple (FIDO2 passkeys, FIDO U2F & FIDO2 hardware security keys, YubiKey OTP, TOTP, Push, SMS Link, and many more) | TOTP Only |
| Phishing-Resistant MFA | Yes, using FIDO2 passkeys or FIDO U2F & FIDO2 security keys | No |
| Enforceable MFA | Yes, per user group and application | Depends on implementation |
| Security Policies | Policy-Based Access Control (PBAC), Authorized Networks, etc. | No |
| Centralized Management | Yes | No |
| Compliance Support | NIST, GDPR, NIS2 Directive, FTC Safeguards Rule, PCI DSS 4.0, etc. | Limited |
| Authentication Logs | Yes | No |
| Audit Logs | Yes, incl. export to SIEM | No |
| Use Case Flexibility | High (e.g., allow users to remember their devices for one day but only if they belong to a specific group) | Very Low |
Advanced Use Cases Possible With Rublon MFA
In addition to the above, Rublon MFA enables use cases that are impossible or extremely difficult to implement with decentralized TOTP solutions. For example:
- Require Admins to Use Hardware Keys, While Regular Users Can Use a Mobile App: Rublon MFA allows you to create different security policies for different user groups, something that is not feasible with a basic TOTP approach.
- Easily Manage MFA Across User Groups: With Rublon MFA, administrators can quickly disable or enable MFA (or specific MFA methods) for specific user groups, providing the flexibility to adapt to changing security needs.
- Network-Based MFA Policies: Rublon MFA supports bypassing MFA for users accessing resources from one network (e.g., office network), while enforcing MFA for access from outside that network (e.g., from home), ensuring that security is both robust and user-friendly.
Why Partnering with Rublon is a Smart Move for Your Business
Choosing to integrate with Rublon MFA is not just a smart decision, but a great strategic move that can position your business at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation. We live in an era where security threats are increasingly sophisticated and regulatory requirements are more stringent than ever. So, offering your customers a robust, centralized MFA solution is more important than ever. By partnering with Rublon, you can provide a comprehensive multi-factor authentication (MFA) platform that meets these demands head-on, ensuring your customers are protected and compliant.
Don’t wait until your customers demand better security solutions – be proactive and lead the way by integrating with Rublon MFA today. Together, we can deliver the advanced MFA capabilities that organizations need to stay secure, compliant, and ahead of the curve. Partner with Rublon today and empower your clients with the security and control they deserve.
Want to Try Rublon MFA First? Do It For Free Below!
We understand that partnering with a new technology provider is a big decision, and you may want to experience the benefits of Rublon MFA firsthand before committing. That’s why we’re offering you a 30-Day Free Trial of Rublon MFA. This trial gives you full access to our advanced security features, centralized management tools, and flexible authentication methods, so you can see exactly how Rublon MFA can enhance an organization’s security posture.
During the trial, you’ll be able to explore all the features that make Rublon MFA a leading solution in the market:
- Implement and manage comprehensive security policies across your organization.
- Experience the ease of centralized user authentication and access control.
- Test a variety of authentication methods, including TOTP, Mobile Push, and WebAuthn/U2F Security Keys.
- Gain insights through detailed Authentication and Audit Logs, helping you monitor and manage your security in real-time.
No commitment, no risk. Just a chance to see how Rublon MFA can protect and empower your customers.
Take advantage of this opportunity to explore the full potential of Rublon MFA. Click the button below to start your free trial today, and see why integrating with Rublon is the right choice for your business.
