Skip to content
English - United States
More support Customer portal
Gryffan
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

What is Cisco Duo?

Cisco Duo is a cloud-based security platform designed to protect organizations from the risks of compromised credentials and unauthorized access. It primarily focuses on multi-factor authentication (MFA), but offers a broader suite of zero-trust security tools. Essentially, Duo helps verify who is trying to access your applications and data, and what devices they are using, before granting access.

 

Key Features and Capabilities:

  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Duo's core offering. MFA adds layers of security beyond just a username and password. It requires users to provide additional verification, such as a code from a mobile app, a phone call, or a biometric scan. This makes it significantly harder for attackers to gain access even if they have stolen or guessed a password. Duo supports various authentication methods, offering flexibility for different user populations and security needs.
  • Device Health Check: Duo can assess the security posture of devices attempting to access your resources. It checks for things like outdated operating systems, missing security updates, or the presence of malware. This helps prevent access from compromised or vulnerable devices, reducing the risk of malware spreading within your network.
  • Adaptive Access Policies: Duo allows administrators to create granular access policies based on various factors, including user location, device health, application being accessed, and more. This enables dynamic access control, allowing for stricter security measures for sensitive resources or high-risk scenarios.13 For example, you might require MFA and device health checks for accessing critical financial data, but only a password for less sensitive information.
  • Single Sign-On (SSO): Duo integrates with SSO providers, allowing users to log in once and access multiple applications without having to repeatedly enter their credentials. This improves user experience while still maintaining the security benefits of MFA.
  • Passwordless Authentication: Duo supports passwordless login methods, such as biometric authentication or security keys. This eliminates the need for passwords altogether, further reducing the risk of password-related attacks like phishing and credential stuffing.
  • Phishing Protection: Duo offers features to help protect against phishing attacks, such as warnings about suspicious login attempts and integration with anti-phishing tools.
  • Integration with Existing Infrastructure: Duo integrates seamlessly with a wide range of applications, services, and infrastructure components, including cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), VPNs, on-premises applications, and more. This makes it easy to deploy and manage within your existing environment.
  • User-Friendly Experience: Duo is designed to be easy for users to set up and use. The authentication process is typically quick and straightforward, minimizing disruption to workflows.
  • Centralized Management: Duo's cloud-based management console provides administrators with a centralized view of all users, devices, and access activity. This simplifies security management and allows for easy reporting and auditing.

Benefits of Using Cisco Duo:

  • Enhanced Security: Significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
  • Improved Compliance: Helps organizations meet regulatory requirements for data security and privacy.
  • Increased Productivity: Streamlines user login processes with SSO and passwordless authentication.
  • Simplified Security Management: Provides a centralized platform for managing access control.
  • Flexible and Scalable: Adapts to the needs of organizations of all sizes.

Use Cases:

  • Protecting Cloud Applications: Securing access to cloud-based services like Salesforce, Google Workspace, and AWS.
  • Securing On-Premises Applications: Adding MFA to legacy applications and systems.
  • Securing Remote Access: Protecting VPN connections and remote desktops.
  • Securing Access to Sensitive Data: Restricting access to confidential information based on user, device, and context.
  • Meeting Compliance Requirements: Demonstrating compliance with industry regulations like HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR.

In summary, Cisco Duo provides a comprehensive and user-friendly platform for securing access to applications and data. Its focus on MFA, device health, and adaptive access policies helps organizations protect themselves against the growing threat of credential-based attacks.