Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication VS AWS Shield

Compare Azure Multi-Factor Authentication VS AWS Shield and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication logo Azure Multi-Factor Authentication

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication helps safeguard access to data and applications while meeting user demand for a simple sign-in process.

AWS Shield logo AWS Shield

AWS Shield is a managed Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection service that safeguards web applications running on AWS. 
  • Azure Multi-Factor Authentication Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-19
  • AWS Shield Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-21

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication features and specs

  • Enhanced Security
    Azure MFA adds an additional layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple methods, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
  • Flexible Authentication Options
    It supports various authentication methods such as phone calls, text messages, app notifications, and hardware tokens, providing flexibility for users.
  • Integration with Microsoft Services
    Seamless integration with other Microsoft services and Azure Active Directory ensures a cohesive security solution across different Microsoft platforms.
  • Compliance Support
    Helps organizations meet compliance requirements by providing an additional layer of security that is often mandated by regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, etc.
  • User-friendly
    Designed to be straightforward for end-users, reducing the friction typically associated with multi-factor authentication processes.
  • Conditional Access Policies
    Enables the configuration of conditional access policies to enforce MFA for specific scenarios, balancing security needs and user convenience.

Possible disadvantages of Azure Multi-Factor Authentication

  • Cost
    While some features are available for free, comprehensive usage of Azure MFA can incur additional costs depending on the Azure AD licensing model.
  • Setup Complexity
    Initial setup and configuration can be complex, especially for organizations without a dedicated IT team.
  • Reliance on Internet Connectivity
    Most verification methods require an internet connection, which can be a drawback in environments with unstable or unreliable internet access.
  • Potential User Resistance
    Some users may find the authentication process cumbersome or may resist changes to the login process, requiring additional user education and support.
  • Dependency on External Devices
    Authentication methods like text messages or app notifications depend on users having access to their mobile devices, which can be problematic if a device is lost or stolen.
  • Integration Challenges with Non-Microsoft Services
    While Azure MFA integrates well with Microsoft services, integration with third-party or non-Microsoft applications may require additional configuration and support.

AWS Shield features and specs

  • Comprehensive Protection
    AWS Shield provides strong protection against DDoS attacks, including Layer 3/4 infrastructure attacks and Layer 7 application attacks, ensuring reliable service availability.
  • Fully Managed
    AWS Shield is a fully managed service, meaning that it requires minimal effort to deploy and maintain, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations.
  • Global Coverage
    AWS Shield provides protection across all AWS regions, ensuring consistent security for applications deployed across different geographic areas.
  • Cost Efficiency
    With AWS Shield Standard, businesses receive basic DDoS protection at no additional cost, which can be particularly advantageous for smaller enterprises or startups.
  • Advanced Protection Plans
    For businesses needing enhanced protection, AWS Shield Advanced offers additional features such as 24/7 support from the DDoS Response Team and financial protections under specific conditions.

Possible disadvantages of AWS Shield

  • Cost for Advanced Features
    While AWS Shield Standard is free, AWS Shield Advanced incurs additional costs, which might be significant for smaller organizations or those with limited budgets.
  • AWS Ecosystem Dependency
    AWS Shield is designed to work within the AWS ecosystem, which may not be suitable for businesses using a multi-cloud strategy or relying heavily on on-premises infrastructure.
  • Complex Configuration for Advanced Settings
    Configuring advanced protection features might require specialized knowledge and understanding of AWS security best practices, potentially increasing administrative overhead.
  • Potential Overhead
    There might be additional overhead in terms of managing AWS Shield alongside other security measures, particularly for organizations with complex environments.
  • Limited to DDoS
    AWS Shield is specialized in DDoS protection. Organizations requiring a full spectrum of threat mitigation will need to integrate it with other security services.

Analysis of Azure Multi-Factor Authentication

Overall verdict

  • Azure Multi-Factor Authentication is a reliable and effective solution for enhancing security within Microsoft environments and beyond. It is widely recognized for its comprehensive features and seamless integration capabilities, making it a strong choice for organizations looking to implement MFA.

Why this product is good

  • Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is considered good due to its robust security features, ease of integration with existing Microsoft services, and its ability to support a wide range of verification methods such as phone calls, text messages, and authenticator apps. It enhances security by requiring two or more pieces of evidence to verify a user's identity, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Additionally, it offers flexibility and scalability, making it suitable for various organizational needs.

Recommended for

    Azure Multi-Factor Authentication is recommended for organizations using Microsoft's cloud services, such as Azure and Office 365, as well as for businesses that prioritize security and need to protect sensitive information and access against unauthorized use. It is particularly suited for enterprises that require a scalable and versatile MFA solution.

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication videos

How to register for Azure Multi-Factor Authentication

AWS Shield videos

AWS Shield Overview

More videos:

  • Review - DNS DDoS mitigation using Amazon Route 53 and AWS Shield - February 2017 AWS Online Tech Talks

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Azure Multi-Factor Authentication and AWS Shield)
Identity And Access Management
Web Application Security
0 0%
100% 100
Two Factor Authentication
CDN
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, AWS Shield should be more popular than Azure Multi-Factor Authentication. It has been mentiond 13 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication mentions (2)

  • MFA for Outlook Online on cell phone
    This is the answer, more detail: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/authentication/concept-mfa-howitworks. Source: about 3 years ago
  • What do you do if you lost your phone with Microsoft Authenticator?
    Make sure that you back-up the active app-configuration, this way you have an easier way to recover; make sure you are allowed to verify using more than an authenticator, more here. Source: about 4 years ago

AWS Shield mentions (13)

  • Understanding AWS Regions and Availability Zones: A Guide for Beginners
    AWS CloudFront is the star of the show here. It caches static content (like media, scripts, and images) to ensure fast, reliable delivery. Other AWS services that run at the edge include Route 53 for DNS routing, Shield and WAF for security, and even Lambda via Lambda@Edge — giving you the ability to run serverless logic closer to the user. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • AWS Serverless Security: Preventing HTTP Flood DDoS Attack
    In the diagram below, we can see where the AWS WAF sits in our serverless architecture. Basically, it’s our shield in front of all requests coming into our system. But, don’t confuse this service with AWS Shield (lol, AWS has everything). - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Protect nginx ingress with AWS WAF and AWS Shield
    AWS Shield is primarily used to protect from distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. It automatically detects threats to the environment. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Ask HN: Reasonably priced EU hosting with DDoS filtering?
    OVH offers more than a firewall. They provide all of their OVHCloud custoemrs with anti-DDoS services that will block most attacks automatically at no additonal charge. https://us.ovhcloud.com/security/anti-ddos/ AWS offers their Shield product, although your requirement of "reasonably priced" may exclude AWS in general https://aws.amazon.com/shield/ . Cloudflare Spectrum can protect TCP/UDP services including... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Enigma cold war IP global banning people trying to join their server when full.
    You just dont hear bout much these days as a consumer since most games go FULL GREED (aka Live Service) and do not let you host your own server. Big companies use AWS etc and have ways to deal with this sort of thing. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Azure Multi-Factor Authentication and AWS Shield, you can also consider the following products

Google Authenticator - Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.

CloudFlare DDoS Protection - Mitigate a DDoS attack of any size using Cloudflare's advanced DDoS protection including DNS Amplification, SYN/ACK, Layer 7 Attacks. Don't get ddos attacked!

Authy - Best rated Two-Factor Authentication smartphone app for consumers, simplest 2fa Rest API for developers and a strong authentication platform for the enterprise.

Imperva Cloud Application Security - Deploy your applications and data where you want. When you want. Imperva keeps them secure in the cloud, on premises, and in hybrid clouds.

Duo Security - Duo Security provides cloud-based two-factor authentication. Duo’s technology can be deployed to protect users, data, and applications from breaches, credential theft, and account takeover.

VeriSign - VeriSign Authentication Services provides solutions that allow companies & consumers to engage...