The most powerful and advanced cybersecurity system in the world can be taken down by a single, simple problem: user adoption. That’s a technical term meaning: no one wants to use it because it’s so frustrating.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is one of the most effective tools in safeguarding digital systems, yet it often comes with a catch: users find it cumbersome and confusing.
When users don’t adopt your cybersecurity systems, such as multi-factor authentication, it can lead to major issues. Low adoption leads to poor security, and a wasted investment in boosting your security measures in the first place.
That’s where human-centered design comes in. Human-centered design in MFA solutions focuses on users’ actual needs and preferences to design multi-factor authentication that fits their behaviors. It’s intuitive, accessible, and most importantly — secure.
At Netlok, human-centered MFA is our defining vision. Let’s dive into how this approach can transform your organization’s cybersecurity practices and explore best practices for designing MFA solutions that work for everyone.
What is Human-Centered Design in Cybersecurity?
Human-centered design focuses on the needs, preferences, and behaviors of users throughout the design process. In the context of cybersecurity, this means creating solutions that not only protect sensitive data but also empower users to engage with security protocols without frustration.
For MFA, human-centered design means addressing questions like:
- How can we reduce the cognitive load for users?
- Are the authentication methods accessible to users of all abilities?
- Can the process integrate seamlessly into the tools users already rely on?
The goal is to build trust and make security measures feel less like a barrier and more like a natural part of the user’s workflow.
Why MFA Needs a Human-Centered Approach
Too often, MFA is designed with a “security-first” mentality that prioritizes technical specifications over user experience.
That’s because organizations mistakenly believe that any effort to make their cybersecurity more user-friendly will come with an inevitable security cost. But at Netlok, we believe that strong security is non-negotiable — and that it’s actually supported by user friendliness, not damaged by it.
When your MFA process isn’t user friendly, it leads to low adoption, more support tickets, and workarounds from frustrated users. All of these add up to more wasted work hours and serious security concerns.
Incorporating human-centered design in MFA means avoiding all of these pitfalls. But it’s not always easy.
Best Practices for Human-Centered MFA Design
If you want to make human-centered MFA central to your cybersecurity strategy, you can avoid some of the most common issues by following these best practices:
- Start with User Research
It all starts with understanding your users. After all, you can’t embrace human-centered design if you don’t know the humans you’re designing for. Surveys, interviews, and usability testing can all help identify pain points and user preferences to incorporate into your designs.
At Netlok, we often find that involving end users early in the process reveals insights that might otherwise be overlooked.
- Offer Multiple Options
One-size-fits-all rarely works for MFA. Providing a range of authentication methods — like biometrics, push notifications, and hardware tokens — empowers users to choose what works best for them.
A busy working professional might prefer biometric scans because they’re fast and convenient. But a very security-conscious person working in high-security situations might opt for a hardware key instead.
- Simplify the Process
If you want to make something usable, make it simple. Your MFA process should be as streamlined and easy-to-understand as humanly possible — and we used “humanly” deliberately there.
Whether it’s single sign-on (SSO) or adaptive authentication (using factors like location or device to reduce authentication prompts), users who feel they clearly understand the MFA process are much less likely to abandon or work around it.
- Prioritize Accessibility
Accessibility should never be an afterthought. Ensure your MFA solutions comply with standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and are usable for individuals with disabilities.
Features like screen reader compatibility, high-contrast design, and alternative input methods make MFA accessible to a broader audience.
- Communicate the Value
How do you get your users to stop thinking of MFA as a hassle and start thinking of it as an essential tool for their protection?
You talk to them! Communicating with your users in plain language about why you have the MFA policies and procedures you do can go a lot farther than reactively responding to frustrations from users who don’t understand its value.
- Design for Scale
As your organization grows, your MFA solution needs to scale with it. Choose platforms like Netlok that can accommodate bigger user bases, more devices, and new authentication methods.
- Test and Iterate
Human-centered design is an ongoing process. Technology changes, convention changes, and people’s needs change. Get feedback from your users on a regular basis and use that feedback to guide your next steps.
Striking the Balance: Security and Seamless Experiences
The ultimate goal of human-centered MFA design is to strike the perfect balance between security and usability. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Security: Your MFA solution should meet or exceed industry standards, with features like encryption, fraud detection, and regular security updates.
- Usability: Remember that if users don’t understand how your MFA process works, they’ll abandon it. Put usability first!
- Trust: Users are partners in your cybersecurity efforts, not obstacles to defeat. Communicate openly with them about the reasons for MFA processes.
Nail this trio in your MFA experience, and you’ll ensure security for users without frustrating the very users you’re trying to protect.
Netlok’s Commitment to Human-Centered Design
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be a headache for users in order to be an effective security measure for your organization. By weaving human-centered design principles into MFA, we make it easier for organizations to safeguard their digital assets while building trust and creating a better user experience.
If you’re looking to step up your cybersecurity game without making things harder for your team, we’re here to guide you. Together, we can design MFA solutions that are both secure and easy to use.
Contact us today to learn more about our customized MFA solutions and how they can support your organization’s goals.
