Microsoft is making a significant change to how organizations manage authentication methods. On September 30, 2025, the company will officially deprecate legacy multifactor authentication (MFA) and self-service password reset (SSPR) policies, marking the end of an era for these older authentication management systems.
What's Being Retired?
The deprecation affects per-user MFA settings and legacy SSPR policies that many organizations have relied on for years. After the deadline, authentication methods can no longer be managed through these legacy interfaces, forcing a migration to Microsoft's newer Authentication Methods Policy framework.
Why the Change?
Microsoft is consolidating its authentication management approach to provide a more unified and secure experience. The new Authentication Methods Policy offers enhanced security features and helps eliminate vulnerabilities like SIM intercept attacks that were possible with older systems.
What Happens If You Don't Migrate?
Organizations that fail to migrate before the September 30, 2025 deadline risk having their legacy MFA and SSPR policies forcefully disabled or replaced. This could potentially disrupt user authentication processes and leave security gaps in your environment.
A More Secure Future
While this transition requires some effort, the benefits far outweigh the temporary inconvenience. The new Authentication Methods Policy provides a centralized, streamlined approach to managing authentication across your entire Microsoft environment. This unified framework significantly reduces the risk of security vulnerabilities like SIM swapping attacks and provides enhanced protection against evolving cyber threats. Additionally, the modern interface offers better visibility into your security posture, more granular control over authentication methods, and improved compliance reporting capabilities. By embracing this change, your organization will be better positioned to defend against sophisticated attacks while providing users with a more consistent and secure authentication experience across all Microsoft services.
Ready to Ensure Your Security Stays Current?
Not sure if your current MFA configuration will be affected by this upcoming change? The team at Fluid IT can help assess your authentication policies and create a smooth migration path! Contact us today to discuss how we can help modernize your security infrastructure and ensure your organization stays protected without any service disruptions.