Security gaps have shifted from the login page to the recovery and identity verification process, including weaknesses in password resets, help desk checks, legacy MFA exemptions, shared admin accounts, and unreviewed third-party integrations.

Administrative and executive accounts require stricter controls, such as two-person approvals for resets and phishing-resistant authentication methods.

Organizations should implement conditional access that factors in device health, location, and sign-in risk to differentiate access levels beyond passwords.

Post-login monitoring is essential, watching for impossible travel, suspicious forwarding rules, unusual token usage, and unexpected app consent grants.

Adopt a broader security mindset that assumes credentials can be compromised and focuses on minimizing the impact when that happens.

Reduce reliance on passwords by using long passphrases, password managers, and checking breached-password lists instead of mandating frequent changes.

Recognize that passwords are inherently weak because they are secrets users hand over, with attackers obtaining them via phishing, purchase, or reuse.

MFA mitigates many attacks but traditional methods like text codes or push prompts are increasingly bypassed, including real-time interception and help-desk resets.

Treat account recovery as high-risk, using robust verification that avoids guessable questions and requires direct contact via trusted channels.

Eliminate legacy authentication and temporary MFA exemptions to close old attack surfaces.

Security testing should span the entire flow—including reset processes and help-desk interactions, not just the login page.

Prioritize phishing-resistant authentication for high-risk accounts, using strong enrollment and recovery controls with options like FIDO2 security keys and passkeys.