Quick answer
Any MFA is far better than a password alone, but strength varies: SMS codes are the weakest, authenticator apps are better, and passkeys or hardware security keys are the strongest because they resist phishing. For most businesses: turn on MFA for everyone now, move admins and finance to phishing-resistant methods, and adopt passkeys where your apps support them.
Do MFA first
Turning it on for everyone beats waiting for a perfect solution.
Passkeys resist phishing
They only work on the real website, so fake login pages fail.
Roll out in stages
Admins and finance first, then everyone else.
Why passwords alone fail
Passwords get reused, guessed, leaked and phished. Once a criminal has one, they can often walk straight into email, files and finance systems. Adding a second factor stops most of those attempts, which is why MFA is the single most effective step for most businesses.
MFA methods compared (tap a card)
From weakest to strongest. Tap each card for the trade-offs.
SMS codes
Good start. Weakest option.
Tap to flip ↻
Authenticator app
Strong and easy. Our minimum.
Tap to flip ↻
Passkeys
Phishing-resistant and easy to use.
Tap to flip ↻
Hardware security key
Strongest. Best for admins.
Tap to flip ↻
What are passkeys?
A passkey replaces your password with a cryptographic key stored on your device (phone, laptop or security key) and unlocked with your fingerprint, face or PIN. Because the key is tied to the real website, a fake login page simply can't use it. That's why passkeys are described as phishing-resistant.
They are also easier for staff: no password to remember, nothing to type. Support is growing quickly across Microsoft, Google and major business apps, but not every system supports them yet, so most businesses will run a mix for a while.
A practical rollout plan
- Week 1: MFA for everyone. Use an authenticator app. Disable SMS where you can.
- Week 2: Block legacy sign-in and add Conditional Access rules.
- Week 3: Upgrade admins and finance to passkeys or hardware security keys.
- Week 4: Provide recovery paths. Spare keys and a documented, identity-verified reset process, so lockouts don't become a security hole.
- Ongoing: adopt passkeys for more apps as support grows and review sign-in logs monthly.
Your MFA and passkey rollout checklist
0 / 8Frequently asked questions
Are passkeys better than MFA?⌄
Passkeys are a form of strong, phishing-resistant authentication. They are generally safer and easier than passwords plus codes, but MFA on every account is still the right first step if you haven't done it yet.
Is SMS MFA still safe to use?⌄
It is better than a password alone but is the weakest MFA option because it can be intercepted or SIM-swapped. Move to an authenticator app, passkey or security key when you can.
What happens if an employee loses their phone?⌄
Have a documented recovery process: verify the person's identity, issue a temporary access method, and register a new device. Spare hardware keys for admins avoid lockouts.
Do I need hardware keys for everyone?⌄
No. Most staff are well-served by an authenticator app or passkeys. Hardware keys make the most sense for administrators, executives and finance users.
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