The Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Buyer’s Evaluation Guide

In 2026, multi-factor authentication (MFA) has become a necessary defense for every cybersecurity strategy. But with the emergence of new MFA-bypassing attacks like push-bombing, session hijacking, and AI-led phishing, you can no longer rely on traditional 2FA alone. To stay protected, organizations need to increase the effectiveness of MFA with powerful next-generation solutions such as passwordless logins, token-free proximity verification, and risk-based authentication (RBA).

But not every solution is created equal. Some vendors only provide the bare minimum coverage with basic authentication factors, and often include hidden costs required for deployment, operation, and maintenance. In this guide, we’ll take you beyond MFA and help you understand the criteria you should consider when evaluating different solutions, and how to increase the strength and value of your security.

Man with laptop smiling and looking over shoulder on the cover of Duo’s Multi-Factor Evaluation Buyer’s Guide eBook

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In this guide you’ll get:

A thorough look at expanding your identity security posture beyond MFA minimums
An overview of the hidden costs of identity security solutions and how to determine your ROI
What to look for to ensure your solution can protect against the risk of a data breach
A list of resources needed to deploy, provision, and integrate your solution
An overview of the different strategic business initiatives, and how your solution fits into them

Who is this guide for?

CISOs who want to implement powerful security solutions
Business leaders who want to reduce the risk of data breaches while delivering strong and reliable security to their users and customers
Security professionals seeking technology that solves modern security pain points