Remote Access
Powered by Cisco Duo
Two-Factor Authentication & Multi-Factor Authentication
Blowfish Technology deploys and manages enterprise-grade two-factor authentication for North West businesses – powered by Cisco Duo. Protect every login with a second layer of verification that stops account takeovers even when passwords are stolen.
What Duo Protects
- ✓ Microsoft 365 & Azure AD logins
- ✓ VPN & remote access connections
- ✓ Business applications & cloud services
- ✓ On-premise systems & servers
- ✓ Device health verification
- ✓ All devices – mobile, desktop & tablet
The Problem
Passwords Alone Can No Longer Protect Your Business
Credentials are stolen every day – through phishing attacks, data breaches at third-party services and brute force attacks. Once an attacker has a valid username and password, a single-factor login gives them everything they need to access your systems, email and data.
Two-factor authentication adds a critical second step – requiring users to verify their identity with something they have (a mobile device) in addition to something they know (their password).
Microsoft reports that MFA blocks over 99.9% of automated account attacks. Cisco Duo, managed by Blowfish Technology, makes deploying this protection simple and comprehensive across every application your business uses.
What Happens Without MFA
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How It Works
Cisco Duo – Under the Hood
Duo adds a fast, user-friendly second factor to every login – via push notification, passcode or biometric – verifying that the person logging in is who they claim to be.
Connect Your Applications
Blowfish Technology integrates Duo with your Microsoft 365, VPN, business applications and on-premise systems – protecting every login point across your organisation.
User Enrolment
Users download the Duo Mobile app and enrol in minutes. The self-service process is simple enough for non-technical staff with no IT assistance required.
Verify Every Login
When a user logs in, they receive a push notification to approve or deny. If they didn’t initiate the login, they deny it – instantly alerting you to a credential compromise.
Device Health Checks
Duo checks the security posture of the device being used – verifying it’s up to date, not jailbroken and meets your security policies before granting access.
Access Policies
Set policies to control who can access what, from where and from which devices – blocking logins from unfamiliar locations, unmanaged devices or outside business hours.
Full Reporting
A full audit trail of every authentication event – approved, denied and flagged – giving administrators complete visibility and supporting compliance reporting.
Key Features
Everything Included as Standard
Push Notification Authentication
One tap on the Duo Mobile app approves or denies a login – the simplest and most secure second factor, with no codes to type.
Universal Application Coverage
Integrates with thousands of applications including Microsoft 365, Azure AD, Salesforce, VPNs, RDP and custom applications – protecting every login point.
Device Trust & Health Checks
Verifies the security posture of every device – checking for up-to-date OS, screen lock and encryption before granting access.
Location-Based Policies
Block or flag logins from unexpected countries – an effective control against stolen credentials being used by overseas attackers.
Cyber Essentials Compliance
MFA is now a requirement for Cyber Essentials on internet-facing services. Duo ensures your business meets this requirement across all relevant systems.
Full Authentication Audit Trail
Every login attempt – successful or blocked – logged with device, location and timestamp. Essential for incident investigation and compliance reporting.
Why Blowfish + Cisco Duo
Enterprise MFA for North West SMEs
Cisco Duo is trusted by organisations globally. Blowfish Technology makes it simple to deploy and manage for North West businesses – protecting every login without creating unnecessary friction for your team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 2FA and MFA? ⌄
2FA requires exactly two forms of verification. MFA is the broader term covering two or more factors. In practice they are used interchangeably. Cisco Duo supports both.
Will MFA slow down our team’s ability to log in? ⌄
The additional step takes two to three seconds – a tap on the Duo Mobile app. Most users adapt quickly. Trusted devices can be remembered to reduce frequency of prompts.
Is MFA required for Cyber Essentials? ⌄
Yes. Since January 2022, Cyber Essentials requires MFA on all accounts that access cloud services, admin accounts and remote access connections. Cisco Duo is ideal for meeting this requirement.
What happens if an employee loses their phone? ⌄
Blowfish Technology can quickly provision backup authentication methods or temporarily bypass Duo while the device is replaced. Hardware tokens are also available as a backup option.
How much does Cisco Duo cost? ⌄
Priced per user per month. Blowfish Technology provides it as a managed service. Contact us for a tailored quote based on your team size and application requirements.
Ready to Protect Every Login With MFA?
Talk to Blowfish Technology about deploying Cisco Duo for your North West business.