MFA without code changes

Legacy App MFA Without Code Changes

Legacy and on-premises applications often lack modern authentication controls, but replacing or rewriting them is expensive and risky.

Datawiza helps you implement legacy app MFA quickly using a reverse proxy approach, so you can enforce strong authentication without changing application code.

Legacy app MFA without code changes demo video

Legacy app coverage

Typical Legacy Application Types

Datawiza helps organizations deploy MFA for customer portals, workforce tools, older line-of-business systems, and critical ERP or CRM apps.

Customer and partner portals

Internal employee tools and intranet apps

Third-party and line-of-business apps

Legacy ERP and CRM systems

With Datawiza, you can protect legacy web and on-prem apps without custom MFA coding. The platform sits in front of your app, enforces MFA or 2FA policies, and grants access only after successful verification.

Fast rollout

Add MFA to Legacy Applications in Hours

No Code Changes

Secure any legacy or on-prem app without modifying source code.

Rapid Deployment

Go live in hours, not months, accelerating your project timeline.

Save Costs

Eliminate custom development and reduce maintenance overhead.

Flexible Hosting

Deploy on-premises, in your private cloud, or use Datawiza SaaS.

Meet Compliance

Meet compliance, audit, and cyber insurance requirements like SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, NYDFS, NIS2, and NIST.

Enhance Security

Modernize authentication with strong MFA and granular access control.

MFA methods

Various MFA and 2FA Methods Supported

SMS and email OTP
Authenticator app one-time passcodes, including TOTP from common mobile authenticator apps
FIDO2 authenticators that support WebAuthn, including security keys and biometrics
Phishing-resistant PKI Certificate-Based Authentication, including PIV smart cards

Architecture

Reverse Proxy Architecture for Legacy App MFA

Datawiza sits in front of your legacy web app as a reverse proxy. When a user tries to sign in, the proxy triggers MFA and only allows access after authentication is completed.

Diagram showing Datawiza Access Proxy enforcing MFA for any web app

1. User accesses the app

Users browse to the same app URL. Datawiza Access Proxy intercepts the request.

2. MFA is enforced

Use Datawiza built-in MFA or your existing IdP, including Entra ID, Okta, Google, Ping, Auth0, or Cognito.

3. Access is granted

After MFA succeeds, Datawiza grants access to the legacy web app with stronger security and auditing.

Result: MFA for legacy apps in hours, not months, with no app rewrite, no custom MFA coding, and consistent policy across apps.

Build or proxy

Legacy App MFA vs Custom Code Integration

If your priority is rapid risk reduction without rebuilding core systems, reverse proxy MFA is often the fastest path.

Learn more about MFA reverse proxy deployment See the MFA gateway overview

Criteria	Reverse Proxy MFA	Custom Code MFA
Deployment speed	Hours to days	Weeks to months
Code changes required	No	Yes
Legacy compatibility	High	Variable
Maintenance overhead	Lower	Higher
Policy consistency	Centralized	Fragmented by app

Common use cases

Why teams add MFA to legacy apps

Meet compliance and audit requirements

Satisfy cyber insurance controls

Reduce credential-based attack risk

Standardize login security across old and modern apps

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add MFA to an app that doesn't support it?

Yes. Datawiza Access Proxy can enforce MFA for legacy and homegrown web apps that do not have native MFA support, without source-code changes or SDK integration.

Do I need an identity provider?

No. Datawiza built-in MFA can challenge users after they sign in with existing credentials and before application access continues. If you already use Entra ID, Okta, Duo, Ping, Auth0, Cognito, or another identity provider, Datawiza can integrate with that MFA flow too.

How long does implementation take?

Initial rollout is often completed in days, depending on routing, policy complexity, identity provider configuration, and how many applications are included in the first phase.

Customer testimony