Built-in MFA
Use Datawiza MFA methods at the gateway layer without waiting for a separate CIAM or IdP deployment.
MFA gateway
Add MFA in Front of Existing Apps Without Changing Code
Datawiza Access Proxy can act as a no-code MFA gateway for customer portals, partner apps, internal tools, and legacy web applications.
Place Datawiza in front of the app, use built-in MFA, and enforce access policy before traffic reaches protected resources. No application code changes, user migration, or separate CIAM rollout required.
The practical difference
An MFA Gateway Enforces Strong Authentication Before App Access
Instead of embedding MFA logic into every application, an MFA gateway becomes the control point between users and apps. Security teams can apply policy centrally while application teams avoid risky login rewrites.
No-code deployment
Route app traffic through Datawiza Access Proxy and enforce MFA without changing protected application source code.
Central policy
Apply MFA by app, path, user, group, audience, or rollout stage from one enforcement layer.
Audit-ready visibility
Capture access, MFA, policy, and application-routing events for security review, troubleshooting, and compliance evidence.
Comparison
MFA Gateway vs App-by-App MFA Coding
The gateway model is strongest when you need MFA across existing applications that were not designed for modern authentication.
| Criteria | Datawiza Access Proxy | App-by-App MFA Coding |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement point | MFA is enforced by Datawiza Access Proxy before approved traffic reaches the app. | MFA logic is implemented separately inside each application or login flow. |
| Application changes | No source-code changes, app-server plugins, or login rewrites required for the protected app. | Each app needs development, regression testing, release planning, and long-term maintenance. |
| Identity migration | No user migration or CIAM rollout is required to start enforcing built-in MFA. | Often tied to broader identity migration, SDK adoption, or user-store changes. |
| Legacy compatibility | Works well for legacy and custom apps that do not natively support SAML, OIDC, or MFA. | Depends on what each application can support and what the team can safely modify. |
| Policy consistency | MFA, access policy, and audit are centralized at the gateway layer. | Policy can fragment across apps, frameworks, and development teams. |
| Best-fit project | Fast MFA rollout for existing apps without code changes. | Deep application modernization where teams already plan to rewrite login. |
Architecture proof
Two Ways to Add MFA: Rebuild Identity or Protect the App in Front
Identity provider migrations are useful when you are rebuilding identity, migrating users, or redesigning login across applications. But if the immediate goal is to add MFA to existing apps, that path can create more work than the security project needs.
Datawiza Access Proxy gives teams a faster deployment model: choose the MFA source that fits each user population, place enforcement in front of the app, keep the application unchanged, and roll out stronger access control app by app.
Best when identity modernization is the project.
Traditional IdP Migration Path
- 1Register or rebuild each application
- 2Migrate users or connect user stores
- 3Rewrite login and session flows
- 4Add SDKs, redirects, or protocol support
- 5Test every app-specific edge case
- 6Roll out after application release cycles
Good fit for new apps or broad customer identity transformation. Slower fit when the app simply needs MFA now.
Best when the app already exists.
Datawiza Access Proxy Path
- 1Place Access Proxy in front of the app
- 2Use Datawiza built-in MFA or connect your existing identity provider
- 3Configure policy by app, path, group, or rollout phase
- 4Forward approved traffic to the existing application
- 5Log MFA, policy, and access events
- 6Expand to the next app without rewriting login
Good fit for legacy apps, customer portals, partner apps, and internal tools that need MFA without code changes.
Proxy-based MFA architecture
Datawiza sits between users and existing apps
Why teams choose this path
Faster MFA rollout without app rewrites
- No application source-code changes
- No separate IdP migration required
- Built-in MFA or your existing IdP
- Centralized policy before app access
- Works for legacy, custom, customer, partner, and internal web apps
- Audit-ready access and MFA logs
Deployment timeline
A Practical Rollout Timeline
Start with one app, validate the policy, then repeat the same access-layer pattern across the rest of the portfolio.
- Day 0
Pick one app
Choose a high-risk customer portal, partner app, internal tool, or legacy application.
- Day 1
Put Access Proxy in front and turn on MFA
Route traffic through Datawiza Access Proxy, choose built-in MFA or your existing identity provider, and define who should be challenged, when, and for which app paths.
- Day 2
Pilot with a small group
Validate the user experience, access logs, and rollback plan with a limited audience.
- After pilot
Expand app by app
Apply the same gateway pattern to more apps without starting a new MFA coding project each time.
Customer proof
“Datawiza is the least friction option to move to a modern MFA. By going with Datawiza and getting this done in a very short time, we were the heroes.”
Related MFA use cases
Explore the No-Code MFA Use Cases
Explore practical MFA patterns for customer portals, internal systems, legacy applications, ERP platforms, and other existing web apps.
No-Code MFA
Start with the main overview for built-in MFA, proxy enforcement, app coverage, and rollout strategy.
What is No-Code MFA?
Get the definition of no-code MFA, including built-in MFA, identity provider mode, and where access-layer enforcement fits.
MFA for HR Systems
Protect PeopleSoft HCM, payroll, employee self-service, retiree portals, and other web-based HR systems without changing app code.
MFA for legacy applications
Add MFA to legacy applications without changing source code, migrating users, or waiting for an application rewrite.
MFA for Web Applications
Add MFA or 2FA to public-facing, external-facing, internet-facing, internal, and custom web applications without changing app code.
MFA for IIS applications
Add MFA to IIS applications without touching code, using Datawiza built-in MFA or Entra ID, Okta, Ping, or Duo as the identity provider.
MFA for Admin Portals
Protect admin portals, admin dashboards, back-office apps, and privileged web consoles with MFA before app access.
MFA for Customer Portals
Protect customer portals, partner apps, vendor portals, and customer-facing applications without forcing a CIAM migration.
How it works
Add MFA Before Users Reach the App
Datawiza Access Proxy sits between users and protected apps. It verifies the user, enforces MFA, applies policy, then forwards approved requests to the application.
1. Put the gateway in front of the app
Route user traffic through Datawiza Access Proxy before requests reach the protected application.
2. Turn on built-in MFA
Use Datawiza built-in MFA methods and configure when users should be challenged.
3. Enforce access policy
Apply rules by app, path, user group, audience, and rollout phase before the app receives traffic.
4. Expand app by app
Start with one high-risk app, validate the policy, then extend MFA enforcement across more existing apps.
Use cases
Where an MFA Gateway Fits
Add MFA to customer portals without moving users into a new CIAM platform
Protect B2B, supplier, partner, and vendor portals with gateway-enforced MFA
Add MFA to internal apps that do not support modern identity protocols
Meet cyber insurance, audit, or compliance requirements on a short timeline
Standardize MFA policy across legacy, custom, and modern web applications
FAQ
MFA Gateway Questions
What is an MFA gateway?
An MFA gateway sits in front of a web application, verifies the user, enforces a multi-factor authentication challenge, and only forwards approved traffic to the protected app.
Is Datawiza Access Proxy an MFA gateway?
Yes. No-code MFA is a use case of Datawiza Access Proxy. For this use case, Access Proxy acts as an MFA gateway that enforces built-in MFA before app access.
Do we need another identity provider?
No. Datawiza Access Proxy provides built-in MFA, so you can start enforcing MFA without another identity provider. You can still connect an IdP later when that fits the architecture.
Does the application need code changes?
No. The gateway approach enforces MFA before requests reach the app, so protected applications do not need to implement MFA logic themselves.
Which apps are a good fit?
Customer portals, partner portals, internal tools, legacy ERP and CRM apps, and custom web applications are common fits, especially when they lack native MFA support.
Next step
See How Datawiza Would Protect One Existing App
Bring one customer portal, B2B app, internal tool, or legacy web application. Datawiza can show where Access Proxy sits, how MFA is enforced, and what changes are avoided.