2FA for RDP (Two-factor authentication for Remote Desk Protocol)

Remote Desktop Protocol (or RDP) is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft that allows users to connect to and control another computer over a network or the internet. RDP is commonly used for remote work, IT support, and accessing resources on a remote server. It provides a graphical interface for the remote system, enabling users to interact with it as if they were sitting in front of it. RDP is built into Windows operating systems and can also be used with other platforms through third-party software.

Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) is particularly important for RDP. It’s often targeted by cybercriminals due to its widespread use and potential for accessing sensitive systems and data. By adding 2FA, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of brute-force attacks, password guessing, and other common tactics used by hackers, thereby enhancing the overall security of their remote access infrastructure.

Why should RDP end users have MFA enabled?

RDP users can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks due to several factors. First, if RDP is not properly secured, it can provide an easy entry point for attackers to gain unauthorized access to a network. RDP connections are also often exposed to the internet, making them a prime target for brute-force attacks and other exploits. Weak or compromised passwords and outdated software can increase the risk. Adding MFA adds an additional layer of defense and can significantly reduce the risk of a successful cyber-attack.

What are the benefits for organizations enabling 2FA for RDP?

Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) for RDP end users benefits organizations in several significant ways. Most importantly, it makes it much more difficult for unauthorized individuals to gain access to the network, even if they manage to obtain a user’s password. With the prevalence of compromised passwords and the amount of end users who reuse passwords, this is an important risk to mitigate.

MFA also helps organizations comply with regulatory requirements and industry standards that mandate strong authentication methods. This can help organizations avoid fines and maintain their compliance status. Additionally, MFA can improve user confidence in the security of their remote connections, leading to better productivity and fewer security-related disruptions.

Overall, adding MFA for RDP users is a proactive measure that helps protect sensitive data, maintain operational integrity, and ensure regulatory compliance.

How does MFA for RDP work from an end user perspective?

From an end user’s perspective, using 2FA for an RDP login involves an additional but simple step.

When a user attempts to connect to an RDP session, they’ll enter their username and password as usual
After submitting these credentials, they’ll be prompted for a second form of verification (in some cases more). This could be a push notification to a mobile app that requires a biometric factor, a hardware token, or a one-time passcode (OTP) via SMS.
The end user then inputs this second factor to complete the authentication process

Frictionless login in 3 steps

What risks are reduced by setting up MFA for RDP?

Here are some of the key risks that MFA helps mitigate when cybercriminals attempt to compromise RDP connections:

Password guessing and brute-force attacks:

Risk: Attackers can use automated tools to guess or brute-force weak passwords.
Mitigation: MFA adds an additional layer of authentication, making it much harder for attackers to gain access even if they manage to guess or steal a password.

Phishing and credential theft:

Risk: Phishing attacks can trick users into revealing their login credentials.
Mitigation: Even if an attacker obtains a user’s password through phishing, they will still need the second factor (e.g., a code from an authenticator app or a biometric verification) to gain access.

Credential stuffing:

Risk: Attackers use lists of stolen credentials from other breaches to try and log in to RDP.
Mitigation: MFA ensures that even if a user’s credentials are compromised in another context, the attacker cannot use them to access RDP without the second factor.

Insider threats:

Risk: Malicious insiders or compromised accounts can be used to access sensitive systems.
Mitigation: MFA can help detect and prevent unauthorized access by requiring additional verification, even for internal users.

Blocking automated attacks:

Risk: Automated tools can scan for open RDP ports and attempt to exploit them.
Mitigation: MFA makes it much harder for automated tools to succeed, as they typically cannot bypass the second factor of authentication.

How does MFA for RDP help with compliance?

Whether your organization needs MFA for RDP for compliance reasons depends on the specific regulations and standards that apply to your industry and region. It’s a good idea to consult with your compliance officer or a legal expert to determine the specific requirements for your organization.

Here are some common compliance frameworks and standards that require or strongly recommend MFA:

UK National Centre for Cybersecurity (NCSC) Cyber Essentials guidelines : Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) should be implemented to provide an extra layer of security for administrative accounts and any accounts accessible from the internet, essentially requiring its use for enhanced protection on key user access points, particularly when connecting to cloud services. 
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): Requires covered entities and business associates to implement security measures to protect electronic protected health information (ePHI). MFA is a recommended practice to meet the technical safeguards outlined in the HIPAA Security Rule.
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): Requires multi-factor authentication for non-console administrative access to the cardholder data environment (CDE). This includes RDP connections to systems that handle credit card data.
NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Guidelines: NIST guidelines (such as NIST Special Publication 800-63B) recommend MFA for remote access to sensitive systems and data.
ISO 27001: This international standard for information security management recommends the use of MFA as part of a comprehensive security strategy.

NCSC, HIPAA, PCI and NIST compliant with 2FA for RDP

What MFA options are available out of the box with Windows?

Windows Hello offers passwordless methods of logging in, but they aren’t MFA. They’re more about end user convenience, as you only need one to access your desktop. They also aren’t available for RDP connections unless they are Azure Remote Desktops.

What MFA capabilities can you add with a third-party solution?

Third-party MFA solutions can significantly enhance the security and functionality of RDP connections. Here are some features you may want to look out for if in the market for a third-party MFA solution:

Multiple authentication methods:

Push notifications: A notification sent to a mobile app that the user must approve. Combined with biometrics, push notifications are the most secure method and have no hidden costs.
Biometric authentication: Fingerprint, facial recognition, or other biometric methods.
Hardware tokens: Physical devices that generate one-time codes. Worth bearing in mind that hardware tokens cost money and can be lost or broken.
Authenticator apps: Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) generated by apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator.
SMS codes: One-time passcodes sent to a user’s mobile phone. But should really be a last resort option, as it costs more and a user must have signal.

User-friendly interfaces:

Seamless integration: Smooth integration with existing RDP infrastructure to minimize disruption.
User self-service: Features that allow users to manage their MFA settings, such as resetting their authentication methods or managing trusted devices.

Compliance and reporting:

Audit logs: Detailed logs of authentication attempts, including successful and failed attempts.
Compliance reporting: Tools to generate reports that help meet regulatory requirements.

Scalability and management:

Centralized management: A single dashboard to manage MFA policies and settings for all users.
Group policies: The ability to apply different MFA policies to different groups of users.

Customization and flexibility:

Customizable workflows: Tailor the MFA process to fit your organization’s specific needs.

Third-party MFA solutions can significantly enhance the security and functionality of RDP connections.

FAQ

What is Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)?

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft that allows users to connect to and control another computer over a network or the internet. It provides a graphical interface for the remote system, enabling users to interact with it as if they were sitting in front of it.

Why is it important to enable MFA for RDP?

Enabling MFA for RDP is crucial because it adds an additional layer of security, making it much harder for unauthorized individuals to gain access even if they manage to obtain a user’s password. This significantly reduces the risk of brute-force attacks, password guessing, and other common tactics used by hackers.

How does MFA for RDP work for end users?

When using MFA for RDP, end users first enter their username and password. After submitting these credentials, they are prompted for a second form of verification, such as a push notification to a mobile app that requires a biometric factor, a hardware token such as Yubikeys, or a unique code sent to their mobile phone via SMS. The user then inputs this second factor to complete the authentication process.

How does MFA for RDP help with compliance?

MFA for RDP helps organizations comply with various regulatory requirements and industry standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, NIST guidelines, and ISO 2700. These frameworks often require or strongly recommend MFA to ensure data security and protect sensitive information. ctors.

Is 2FA for RDP completely invulnerable to hackers?

No, MFA is not infallible. While it significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, there are still ways that hackers can circumvent MFA. Therefore, it’s important to encourage users to create strong passwords and use tools to check for compromised passwords.

Looking for a third-party 2FA tool to secure your RDP access?

Discover how Specops Secure Access can improve your security strategy. Our advanced third-party MFA solution can provide effective protection and flexibility for your organization.

Learn more about Specops Secure Access