Case Study: Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. achieves secure remote access to confidential client data with Microsoft Azure Multi-Factor Authentication

Law Firm Adds Multi-Factor Authentication for Remote Access to Confidential Client Information

Fredrikson & Byron is an international law firm headquartered in Minneapolis with about 600 employees whose attorneys frequently work remotely from airports, client sites, and home. Because lawyers accessed sensitive client files (including health and IP data) over an SSL VPN using only usernames and passwords, the firm needed a stronger, cost-effective authentication method to reduce phishing risk and meet client-driven compliance requirements.

The firm deployed Microsoft Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (PhoneFactor) in January 2012, enabling second-factor verification by automated phone call or mobile app push; users simply answer and press # or approve a notification. The solution was easy to use, cost-effective versus hardware options, and implemented with on-premises redundant servers plus cloud scalability—resulting in stronger security, higher client confidence, and minimal impact on attorney productivity.

Fredrikson & Byron PA

Bob Morrison

Security Engineer