Microsoft is retiring its current MFA server and requiring everyone to migrate to Modern Authentication
What does this mean for you? Better security…. enforced upon us by Microsoft. Migrating to Microsoft’s Modern Authentication is compulsory and has a deadline of 30th September 2025. On your behalf, we will work through the migration process advised by Microsoft, making sure your MFA still works for all users after the deadline. After the 30th September 2025, Microsoft’s legacy MFA server will be retired. More from Microsoft: “The legacy Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Server will no longer service MFA requests starting September 30, 2025. This means that if you are still using the legacy MFA server, you need to migrate to the cloud-based Microsoft Entra MFA service before the deadline to avoid disruptions to your authentication process”
What will happen after 30th September if you don’t do anything?
We don’t want to find out but can guarantee that rectifying any situations afterwards will cost more than the initial cost of a simple 1 hour migration and feature improvement process. As this is not a situation that we wish to find ourselves in, we have written this blog to inform you.
As part of this process, we’ll include a feature so you can reset your own passwords too!
At last – no more calls to get your passwords reset – a very handy outcome, especially at evenings and weekends! After the changes are made, if you have forgot your password and need to login, simply click the “Forgot my password” option on the Microsoft 365 login page after inputting your email address, and follow the steps to set up a new password that you will use to log in.
“How does this affect me - is there anything I have to do as an end-user?”
The only thing required from you to make this work is to set up an additional (2nd) MFA method which we will instigate for all users. Most email accounts will already be set up with the Microsoft Authenticator app to handle MFA requests, so the additional method would be a simple SMS text message with a 6 digit code. Instigation means that on your next Microsoft login you’ll be automatically prompted to enter a second form of authentication and for this you’ll use your mobile number. Then follow the prompts to complete the process.
“What is the cost for all of the above?”
It’s purely a series of backend changes which is irrespective of how many users you have. This is a one-off, 1 hour investment for your entire company (not per user), which covers our time to carry out all the required system changes to migrate your company’s Microsoft system to Modern Authentication with the Self-Service Password Reset feature included.
The End Result
Self-Management: All users will be able to recover and reset their own Microsoft passwords.
Control: Anyone who is unable to login (forgotten their password) can now easily handle this situation themselves.
Time & Cost Savings: No support calls to Computer Clinic needed to get help with passwords.
Better Security: Your MFA requests will now be handled by Microsoft’s Modern Authentication server
No future issues: Your logins and MFA authentication will continue to work after the 30th September 2025
Flexibility: You will have a second, backup MFA method. e.g. You have purchased a new mobile phone but don’t have authenticator set up on it to login. Instead, you can just revert to using the SMS text code to login instead.
Investment: One-off, 1 hour investment for us to carry out the backend changes for Modern Authentication with Self Service Password Resets.
Timing: This can be completed anytime between now and 30th September 2025. It is a backend, hands-off approach with just 1 email to let everyone know of the change.
Additional Costs: None: Unless you prefer us to carry out the 2nd authentication method on your behalf? In which case, no users will need to do anything and we will handle the SMS on their behalf which will incur a small additional cost of a few minutes per user. If everyone opted to carry out this themselves and then subsequently phoned us for assistance, it would naturally incur an additional charge too. We provide options and transparency so you can make informed decisions and understand costs.
NEXT STEPS
Please “Click Here” to fill out our “Contact Us” Form to book in your company’s MFA Migration to Modern Authentication and Self-Service Password Resets before it is too late!