--- title: The MFA Challenge & Cisco Duo description: Ascend Technologies has previously written about using MFA for securing end-users. 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[![LinkedIn](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/LinkedIn-color%20(1).svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.teamascend.com%2Fblog%2Fmfa-challenge-cisco-duo) - [![Facebook](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Group%203%20(1).svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.teamascend.com%2Fblog%2Fmfa-challenge-cisco-duo) - [![Email](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Group%20427320686.svg)](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EThe+MFA+Challenge+%26+Cisco+Duo%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.teamascend.com%2Fblog%2Fmfa-challenge-cisco-duo) ![](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/peters_CiscoDuo.jpg)    Ascend Technologies has previously written about the benefits of [Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)](https://teamascend.com/services/managed-security/perimeter-security/multi-factor-authentication-mfa/) for securing resources. Many use the Microsoft Authenticator application, which provides a nice user interface and is beneficial for a variety of use cases. In 2020, our experts worked with many clients to secure remote access to the environment by implementing Microsoft’s MFA on their Cisco AnyConnect VPN. But another option available is Cisco DUO. #### Cisco Duo MFA  Cisco Duo provides a user-friendly experience much like Microsoft Authenticator, but also provides several additional capabilities. Duo gives you the policies and controls you need to limit access easily based on the device, endpoint, or user risk. For example, in cases where there are domain-joined or otherwise suspicious device logins, users could be MFA-prompted via automation. This is the frontline worker use case that makes logical sense for network users.    Ascend is very aware of the increase in compliance and insurance standards that may require you to expand your utilization of 2FA or MFA. The Cisco Duo solution goes beyond securing a Microsoft cloud application or VPN by meeting security compliance standards for: - Laptop or workstation MFA  - Server Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) MFA - On-premises switch access via Radius and MFA    [![Watch Cyber Insurance Panel on Demand](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2733374/b3b6422d-ca9e-4164-96ce-a4a140331492.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2733374/b3b6422d-ca9e-4164-96ce-a4a140331492)   Cisco Duo offers full-featured two-factor authentication with: - Protected logins with Duo's MFA - Insights and overviews of device security hygiene  - Management of Duo's solution with Admin APIs  - Duo's secure Single Sign-On (SSO) providing a consistent user login workflow across applications  - Protected access to both on-premises and cloud applications #### Cisco Duo Access  Upgrade to Cisco Duo Access which includes Everything in Duo MFA, plus:  - Essential access security suite to address cloud, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), and mobile risks  - Complete visibility into both mobile and desktop devices, including corporate-managed and unmanaged (personally-owned) devices to support BYOD policies  - Mobile device breakdown with visibility into enabled security features and tampered/unencrypted devices  - Detailed device insight  - Enforce rules on who can access which applications, and under what conditions (adaptive authentication)  - Notify users to update their devices based on device access policies  - Full-featured dashboards for compliance audits and ease of administrative management #### Cisco Duo Beyond  Take it further with Cisco Duo Beyond which includes everything in Duo Access, plus:  - A zero-trust security platform that addresses user and device risk for every application.  - Get visibility into BYOD - detect if devices are corporate-managed or unmanaged (personally owned)  - Enforce a policy to allow only managed devices’ access to sensitive applications  - Provide modern remote access to multi-cloud environments (on-premises, Azure, AWS, Google Cloud Platform) while enforcing zero trust security principles #### Ascend Can Help Duo supports a variety of architectures for authentication, and on top of that, we have a team of experts who can assist your team with tool implementation and management. We help integrate the technology into your environment seamlessly and without disruption and provide additional support for multiple configurations: - Duo Single sign-on (365)  - Duo Azure Conditional Access  - Cisco VPN Architectures  - Single Sign-on  - Access Gateway  - Duo Radius + Authentication Proxy  - Duo + ASA with LDAPs  - Azure ASA VPN Architecture  If you have any questions or are ready to get started, [feel free to reach out](https://teamascend.com/contact/)! [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2733374/d642d48f-f65a-4c45-aa94-29ec149674d1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2733374/d642d48f-f65a-4c45-aa94-29ec149674d1) ### Table of Contents #### Get Insights Sent to Your Inbox ## Related Articles ![How to Build an AI Governance Framework a Lean IT Team Can Run](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/software-engineers-collaborating-on-code-in-office-2026-09-21-23-15-07-utc.jpg) Cybersecurity, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) ### [How to Build an AI Governance Framework a Lean IT Team Can Run](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/ai-governance-framework-for-lean-it-teams-ascend) September 24, 2026 [Read Now ![arrow](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/SVG%20(2).svg)](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/ai-governance-framework-for-lean-it-teams-ascend) ![How to Choose the Right Salesforce Products for Your Business](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_1458786464.jpeg) Cybersecurity, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) ### [How to Choose the Right Salesforce Products for Your Business](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-salesforce-products-for-your-business) September 22, 2026 [Read Now ![arrow](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/SVG%20(2).svg)](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-salesforce-products-for-your-business) ![What Is Shadow AI, and Why Is It a Compliance Risk Right Now?](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/woman-working-from-home-at-desk-with-laptop-2026-03-13-01-57-07-utc.jpg) Cybersecurity, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) ### [What Is Shadow AI, and Why Is It a Compliance Risk Right Now?](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/shadow-ai-compliance-risk-regulated-industries) September 17, 2026 [Read Now ![arrow](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/SVG%20(2).svg)](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/shadow-ai-compliance-risk-regulated-industries) [![Ascend Technologies](https://blog.teamascend.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Ascend/Ascend%20Technologies_Horizontal_FullColor_White.png?width=200&height=107&name=Ascend%20Technologies_Horizontal_FullColor_White.png)](https://teamascend.com/) Contact 833-639-2285 - - - - - - Company - [About](https://teamascend.com/about/) - [Services](https://teamascend.com/services/) - [Testimonials](https://teamascend.com/client-success-stories/) - [Partner With Us](https://teamascend.com/about/partner-with-us/) - [Resources](https://teamascend.com/resources/) - [Contact](https://teamascend.com/contact/) - [Careers](https://teamascend.com/careers/) - Services - [IT Consulting](https://teamascend.com/services/strategic-consulting/) - [Cybersecurity](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/) - [IT Infrastructure](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/) - [Cloud](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/) - [24/7 Support Desk](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/support-desk/) - [Microsoft Services](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/) - [Salesforce Services](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/) - [HubSpot Services](https://teamascend.com/services/hubspot-services/) - [App Development](https://teamascend.com/services/application-development/) ### Empowering Technology. Powered by People. Technology is critical to businesses across all industries. Today's technology must be smart, reliable, adaptable, and secure. At Ascend Technologies, we deliver solutions at the highest level, from cloud computing to proactive cybersecurity strategies to Salesforce excellence. And the team? As impressive as the tech. Our practical support is focused on one thing: your success. Let's see what we can do together. [Contact Us](https://teamascend.com/contact/) ©2026 Ascend Technologies, LLC, All Rights Reserved | [Privacy Policy](https://teamascend.com/privacy-policy/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "WebPage", "breadcrumb" : { "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://blog.teamascend.com", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 } ] }, "dateModified" : "2022-09-12T16🇲🇲50", "description" : "Ascend Technologies has previously written about using MFA for securing end-users. 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