Multi-factor authentication in Azure - Commands & Configuration

Introduction

Multi-factor authentication adds an extra step to signing in to your Azure account. It helps protect your account by requiring you to prove who you are with something you know and something you have, like a phone or app.

When you want to protect your Azure account from unauthorized access even if your password is stolen

When you manage sensitive data or resources in Azure and need stronger security

When your organization requires extra verification for all users signing in

When you want to reduce the risk of account hacking from phishing or stolen credentials

When you want to comply with security policies that require multi-factor authentication

Commands

This command signs you into your Azure account using the Azure CLI. It starts the process where you will be prompted for multi-factor authentication if it is enabled.

Terminal

az login

Expected Output

To sign in, use a web browser to open the page https://microsoft.com/devicelogin and enter the code ABCD1234 to authenticate.



You have logged in. Your subscription is: Example Subscription

This command checks the details of a user in Azure Active Directory to confirm their account exists and to view their authentication methods.

Terminal

az ad user show --id [e-mail]

Expected Output

{

  "accountEnabled": true,

  "displayName": "Example User",

  "id": "12345678-90ab-cdef-1234-567890abcdef",

  "userPrincipalName": "[e-mail]"

}

→

--id - Specifies the user principal name or object ID of the user to show

This command displays the current multi-factor authentication policy settings for your Azure Active Directory tenant.

Terminal

az ad mfa policy show

Expected Output

{

  "state": "enabled",

  "enforcementState": "enforced",

  "methods": ["phoneAppNotification", "phoneAppOTP", "textMessage"]

}

This command enables and enforces multi-factor authentication for all users in your Azure Active Directory tenant.

Terminal

az ad mfa policy update --state enabled --enforcementState enforced

Expected Output

{

  "state": "enabled",

  "enforcementState": "enforced"

}



Multi-factor authentication policy updated successfully.

→

--state - Sets the MFA policy state to enabled or disabled

→

--enforcementState - Sets whether MFA enforcement is active or not

Key Concept

If you remember nothing else from this pattern, remember: Multi-factor authentication adds a second step to sign-in to protect your Azure account from unauthorized access.

Common Mistakes

Trying to sign in without completing the MFA prompt

The sign-in will fail because Azure requires the second verification step when MFA is enabled

Complete the MFA prompt by entering the code sent to your phone or approving the notification in your authenticator app

Assuming MFA is enabled without checking the policy

Users may think their accounts are protected when MFA is not actually enforced

Use 'az ad mfa policy show' to verify the MFA policy state and enforcement

Not updating the MFA policy after creating it

The policy changes won't take effect until you enable and enforce MFA

Run 'az ad mfa policy update --state enabled --enforcementState enforced' to activate MFA

Summary

Use 'az login' to sign in and trigger multi-factor authentication if enabled.

Check user details with 'az ad user show' to confirm account information.

View MFA policy settings with 'az ad mfa policy show' to understand current enforcement.

Enable and enforce MFA with 'az ad mfa policy update' to protect all users.