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Duo Security Two-Factor Authentication Meets Microsoft Azure Active Directory

Duo Security, a cybersecurity and software-as-a-service (SaaS) company that provides a trusted access platform, has integrated its two-factor authentication product with Microsoft Azure Active Directory. With the integration, Duo will help thousands of Azure AD Premium customers secure Office 365 and other Microsoft cloud applications, the company said in a prepared statement.

The Duo-Azure AD integration allows MSSPs and IT administrators to select Duo as their secondary authentication provider directly within the Azure AD Premium P2 conditional access engine, Duo stated. That way, MSSPs and IT administrators can have users verify their identity with a tap of their smartphone when accessing Azure AD applications.

In addition, the integration enables organizations to leverage Duo's cloud identity and authentication platform to reduce the time and costs associated with managing directories, federation and authentication servers and other on-premises components, according to Duo.

The integration also makes it easier than ever before for organizations to move their IT operations into a cloud environment, Duo co-founder Jon Oberheide said in a prepared statement.

Organizations Eye Cloud-Based Applications

Expect the push for cloud-based applications to continue in the foreseeable future, according to a study of more than 1,200 Duo customers conducted by content creation platform provider TechValidate.

Two-thirds of study respondents said they currently use or plan to use Office 365, Duo stated. Furthermore, 60 percent of respondents are most concerned with protecting access to Office 365, Duo noted, and more than half want to continue using their existing security investments with Azure.

Ultimately, the Duo-Azure AD integration addresses organizations' key considerations about migrating to cloud workloads, Oberheide stated.

The integration helps organizations safeguard their sensitive data and protect a growing remote workforce, Oberheide said. It also ensures organizations can implement effective bring-your-own-device (BYOD), policies, Oberheide indicated, to address cyber threats both now and in the future.

Introducing Duo MSP

Duo in April launched Duo Managed Service Provider (MSP), a program designed to help MSPs protect their customers against data breaches.

The Duo MSP program enables MSPs to implement and manage Duo's trusted access product suite, Duo said in a prepared statement. It utilizes a pay-as-you-go pricing model, Duo stated, and allows MSPs to roll out Duo in their customers' environments within minutes.

Duo provides two-factor authentication, endpoint remediation and secure single sign-on tools to organizations around the globe. The company also may prove to be one of many companies to unveil new Azure integrations at Microsoft Ignite 2017, the annual Microsoft customer conference.

Ignite 2017 kicks off today in Orlando, Florida – stay tuned to MSSP Alert for updates from the event.

Dan Kobialka

Dan Kobialka is senior contributing editor, MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E. He covers IT security, IT service provider business strategies and partner programs. Dan holds a M.A. in Print and Multimedia Journalism from Emerson College and a B.A. in English from Bridgewater State University. In his free time, Dan enjoys jogging, traveling, playing sports, touring breweries and watching football.