Adding MFA to legacy systems is now easier than ever - no code changes required. This approach secures outdated systems against modern threats like credential-based attacks while avoiding the risks and costs of rewriting fragile codebases. Here’s how:
- Why MFA Matters: Password-only systems are highly vulnerable. MFA blocks 99.9% of account compromises, according to Microsoft.
- The Challenge: Legacy systems often rely on outdated protocols (e.g., RADIUS, LDAP) and are too fragile for direct code modifications.
- The Solution: Tools like API gateways (e.g., DreamFactory) and no-code platforms (e.g., Adalo Blue) enable MFA integration at the network or interface level without touching the original system.
- How It Works:
- Use DreamFactory to create secure APIs for legacy databases.
- Leverage Adalo Blue to build modern front-end interfaces with built-in MFA and SSO.
- Alternatively, authentication proxies or network-level MFA can secure non-web systems like RDP and SSH.
This method not only improves security but also aligns with compliance requirements like HIPAA and GDPR - without disrupting operations or incurring months-long development cycles.
Extending MFA To All Blind Spots In Your Organisation | Silverfort
Common Problems with Legacy System Security
Legacy systems come with built-in weaknesses that make them prime targets for attackers. Many were designed for secure internal networks, relying heavily on firewalls instead of identity-focused protection. These systems often use outdated protocols like RADIUS, LDAP, or header-based authentication - none of which were built to counter today’s threats or to natively support multi-factor authentication (MFA). Recognizing these vulnerabilities is the first step toward understanding how MFA can be integrated without altering the code.
One major problem is the heavy reliance on passwords. Legacy systems depend solely on password-based authentication, which creates a single point of failure. Weak or reused passwords are common, and a single breach can jeopardize an entire network. Attackers exploit these weaknesses through methods like credential stuffing, password spraying, and brute-force attacks. To make matters worse, many systems still rely on outdated recovery mechanisms that are easy to exploit.
Without MFA, attackers can easily steal credentials through fake login pages. Once passwords are compromised, they can bypass defenses, particularly in environments like Microsoft ADFS. Modern systems, on the other hand, use MFA and Single Sign-On (SSO) to address these risks. The OWASP Foundation emphasizes this point clearly: "Any MFA is better than no MFA".
Adding MFA to legacy systems is often seen as costly and risky due to embedded authentication logic, leaving these systems disconnected from modern security practices. This highlights the importance of no-code MFA solutions that can secure legacy systems without disrupting their operations.
The difference between legacy and modern authentication is striking. Legacy systems offer minimal phishing resistance and require users to log in separately for each application. In contrast, modern authentication with MFA and SSO provides strong phishing resistance - especially when using hardware tokens or passkeys - and delivers a seamless user experience. For organizations still stuck with password-only systems, the choice is clear: implement MFA without modifying code or accept the reality that these systems will remain vulnerable to the vast majority of attacks that MFA could prevent.
Tools for Adding MFA Without Code
When it comes to securing legacy systems without diving into complex coding, DreamFactory and Adalo Blue offer powerful solutions. Together, they tackle the security shortcomings of older systems by combining modern interfaces with robust back-end protection.
DreamFactory serves as an API gateway, transforming databases like MS SQL Server and PostgreSQL into secure REST APIs. It uses API keys and role-based access control to ensure data safety, bridging the gap between legacy databases and modern applications. DreamFactory integrates seamlessly with tools such as Active Directory, LDAP, SAML 2.0, OpenID Connect, and OAuth providers. After a successful MFA authentication - handled by services like Okta or Auth0 - it generates a JSON Web Token (JWT) to secure all future data requests.
On the front end, Adalo Blue simplifies the process of building native iOS, Android, and web apps using these secure APIs. Its visual editor is designed for speed, offering an 11× faster editing experience and an 86% reduction in load times for data-heavy apps. Adalo Blue also includes built-in SSO and enterprise-level permissions, removing the need for custom code. Pricing starts at $36–$45 per month for the Starter plan, while the Professional plan, which supports API integrations with DreamFactory, ranges from $52–$65 per month.
This no-code approach aligns with growing market demands. Organizations that modernize their authentication systems report 67% fewer breaches, and the API management market is projected to grow from $5.42 billion in 2024 to $34.17 billion by 2032. With DreamFactory securing the data layer through MFA-enabled authentication and Adalo Blue delivering a sleek, user-friendly interface, these tools provide a practical path for modernizing legacy systems.
sbb-itb-d4116c7
How to Add MFA to Legacy Systems Without Code
Integrating Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) into legacy systems can seem daunting, but it’s possible to do so securely without altering existing code. By combining tools like DreamFactory and Adalo Blue, you can create secure REST APIs, enable MFA and Single Sign-On (SSO), and deploy your app across various platforms - all without disrupting your legacy infrastructure.
Step 1: Set Up DreamFactory API Gateway
Start by deploying DreamFactory to generate REST APIs for your legacy databases. It supports a variety of databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and even SOAP services, converting them into REST/JSON interfaces [15, 18]. You can deploy DreamFactory using Docker, Kubernetes, or traditional installation methods, depending on your infrastructure.
Once deployed, configure DreamFactory with your database credentials and test the connection. DreamFactory automatically generates fully documented REST APIs, which you can test using its built-in API Docs (OpenAPI/Swagger). This step ensures that endpoints are secure and ready for use [18, 20].
"DreamFactory is far easier to use than our previous API management provider, and significantly less expensive."
- Adam Dunn, Sr. Director of Global Identity Development & Engineering, McKesson
To enhance security, set up Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) in DreamFactory. By granting only the minimum necessary permissions, you align with the principle of least privilege, which can reduce your system's attack surface by over 70% [15, 16, 23].
Step 2: Connect Adalo Blue to Your Legacy Data
Next, link your app to the DreamFactory-generated API using Adalo Blue. Navigate to "External Collections" in Adalo and enter your API Base URL. Add the header X-DreamFactory-API-Key with your API key and set the "Results Key" to resource, as DreamFactory organizes record collections under this JSON key.
Adalo’s visual builder allows you to map external data to app components, like lists, by simply dragging and dropping them onto app screens. Before moving to production, test the integration using a sample database to ensure everything works as expected. Also, confirm that all data in transit is encrypted using TLS 1.2 or higher for added security [22, 23].
With the data connection established, you’re ready to enable MFA and SSO.
Step 3: Turn On MFA and SSO in Adalo Blue
MFA is typically managed at the Identity Provider (IdP) level, such as Auth0 or Okta, or through a reverse proxy. This approach allows you to add MFA protection to legacy systems without modifying their code [15, 24]. In DreamFactory, configure a service for your selected IdP (e.g., Okta SAML or Auth0 SSO). Define a Relay State URL, such as:
https://yourapp.adalo.com?jwt=_token_
DreamFactory will replace _token_ with the actual JSON Web Token (JWT), which Adalo can then capture [16, 20].
Once authenticated, include the JWT in the X-DreamFactory-Session-Token header for all requests to your legacy data. Configure Adalo's External Collection settings to include this header along with your API key, ensuring that every request is securely authenticated and authorized [20, 22].
Using adaptive MFA can further streamline the user experience by reducing unnecessary prompts during low-risk logins. Organizations adopting modern authentication methods like this have seen up to 67% fewer security breaches compared to those relying on outdated protocols [15, 24].
After setting up MFA and SSO, the final step is to test and deploy your app.
Step 4: Test and Publish Your App
Use tools like a SAML tracer to debug communication between Adalo, DreamFactory, and your SSO provider during setup. Test the full MFA workflow in development mode by logging in through your IdP, verifying that the JWT is correctly captured, and ensuring that legacy data loads as expected.
Once everything is functioning as intended, publish your app directly from Adalo Blue. Adalo’s single-codebase architecture ensures that updates made to the app are automatically applied across web, iOS, and Android platforms. To maintain user sessions, persist the JWT using local storage or cookies, allowing seamless navigation across app screens.
Comparing Different Methods for Adding MFA Without Code
Comparison of No-Code MFA Integration Methods for Legacy Systems
Expanding on the discussion of DreamFactory and Adalo Blue, there are several alternative no-code methods for implementing MFA, each offering distinct advantages depending on your specific legacy environment. Let’s explore some of the most effective approaches.
One popular option is authentication proxies, such as Datawiza. These proxies sit in front of web-based applications, intercepting traffic to enforce MFA before users can access legacy systems. For instance, New American Funding successfully deployed MFA across its legacy systems using this method. Jeff Farinich, their SVP of Technology Services and CISO, shared:
"Datawiza is minimal friction to move to a modern MFA. By going with Datawiza and getting this done in a very short time, we were the heroes."
This approach is particularly effective for web-based ERPs, CRMs, and internal portals, with deployment times ranging from just minutes to a few hours. It’s a straightforward solution for environments where simplicity and speed are key.
Another method involves identity orchestration platforms, which use an abstraction layer often referred to as an "identity fabric." This layer sits between applications and authentication policies, enabling seamless integration with multiple identity providers. For example, one region might use RSA, while another relies on Okta - without requiring any changes to application code. This method is ideal for handling complex scenarios and typically takes hours to deploy, compared to the months traditional development might require. A major advantage is that it decouples identity management from the application itself, which Aldo Pietropaolo describes as avoiding the "identity modernization treadmill".
For non-web services like RDP, SSH, database servers, and Windows file shares, network-level MFA is a solid choice. This method integrates authentication directly into the network infrastructure, making legacy servers completely invisible to users who haven’t authenticated through the SSO/MFA provider. It’s a great option for securing infrastructure access without requiring any application-level reconfiguration.
Lastly, the combination of Adalo Blue and DreamFactory offers a distinct approach by focusing on modernizing the user interface. This method involves creating a new front-end application that connects to legacy data through secure APIs. While it requires building a new user interface, it not only secures the system but also improves the overall user experience. By operating at the database level, it’s a practical solution for replacing outdated interfaces while keeping existing back-end systems intact.
Method Comparison Table
Here’s a quick comparison of these methods:
| Method | Deployment Time | Best Use Case | Main Benefit | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Authentication Proxy | Minutes to hours | Web-based ERPs, CRMs, internal portals | Minimal disruption | Low (eliminates custom development) |
| Identity Orchestration | Hours | Complex environments with multiple identity providers | Separates identity management from app code | Low (minimal developer resources) |
| Network-Level MFA | Rapid deployment | RDP, SSH, databases, file shares | Secures non-web services without app changes | Moderate (uses existing infrastructure) |
| Adalo Blue + DreamFactory | Days to weeks | Modernizing legacy data interfaces | Creates new mobile/web UIs with built-in security | Low to moderate compared to custom rewriting |
Rewriting legacy applications to support MFA can be a lengthy and expensive process. In contrast, these no-code solutions significantly reduce deployment time - from months to just hours or days - while meeting security standards, including those required by cyber insurance policies mandating MFA for all applications.
Conclusion
Modernizing legacy systems with no-code integration methods offers a secure and efficient path forward. Implementing solutions like multi-factor authentication (MFA) doesn't have to mean months of custom development work.
The numbers back it up: organizations adopting these methods report 67% fewer breaches and a 70% reduction in attack surfaces. With global breach costs expected to hit $4.88 million by 2024, acting quickly to modernize isn't just smart - it's financially critical.
Traditional code rewrites can take hundreds of hours, but the gateway-and-builder approach gets systems operational in just hours or days, all while meeting essential industry compliance requirements. This not only strengthens security but also reduces exposure to potential threats.
FAQs
How can I add multi-factor authentication (MFA) to a legacy system without modifying its code?
You can set up MFA for a legacy system without modifying its code by using external authentication tools that work with standard protocols like RADIUS, LDAP, or SAML. These tools function as intermediaries, enabling MFA integration without touching the system's core structure.
For instance, certain solutions let you link MFA to your current authentication methods, such as Active Directory or other directory services. This method boosts security while ensuring the legacy system remains compatible, helping you save time and sidestep expensive development work.
How can DreamFactory and Adalo Blue simplify MFA integration for legacy systems?
DreamFactory and Adalo Blue make it easy to add multi-factor authentication (MFA) to legacy systems without diving deep into complex coding. DreamFactory supports a range of authentication methods, including OAuth, LDAP, SAML, and Active Directory, making it simple to connect MFA to your existing identity providers. This approach ensures secure access while adhering to enterprise-level security requirements.
Adalo Blue adds another layer of convenience by providing a no-code platform to build internal apps. It comes with features like single sign-on (SSO), enterprise-grade permissions, and seamless integration with older systems - even those with outdated or limited APIs. By combining these tools, organizations can quickly and affordably implement secure MFA workflows, often in just a few days, without interrupting daily operations.
Why are legacy systems at risk with password-only authentication?
Legacy systems that depend solely on password-based authentication are increasingly at risk. Without modern security features like multi-factor authentication (MFA), these systems are more exposed to threats such as phishing, credential theft, and brute force attacks.
What makes the situation worse is that these systems are often hard to update or patch, creating vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. By introducing MFA, even in setups where updating the code isn't an option, organizations can significantly reduce these risks and strengthen their defenses.
Related Blog Posts
