Is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) a Barrier to Access?

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) has become a standard security measure across many online services. From banking and e-commerce to social media and even public services, MFA is touted as the best way to protect user accounts from unauthorized access. 

But while it undoubtedly enhances security, does it also create unnecessary barriers for users? Is it always necessary, or are some services forcing it upon users purely for their own convenience, without considering the impact on accessibility and user experience?

When MFA Makes Sense

There are clear scenarios where MFA is beneficial, if not essential. Any service involving financial transactions, personal data, or sensitive information should implement some form of MFA. Online banking, payment processing, and cloud storage services are prime examples. In these cases, an extra layer of authentication—whether a text message, an authenticator app, or biometrics—protects users from fraud, identity theft, and account takeovers.

For these services, the inconvenience of MFA is outweighed by the need for security. A compromised banking account can lead to financial ruin, while an exposed cloud storage service could mean loss of private or business-critical data.

When MFA Becomes a Burden

However, there are many instances where MFA feels excessive or even user-hostile. Imagine signing up for a public forum, a government website to download a form, or a simple app where security isn't a primary concern. Yet, users are often forced to verify their email, receive a one-time passcode (OTP) on their phone, or even authenticate every time they log in. For some users, this creates friction that can turn them away from the service altogether.

Older adults and less tech-savvy users can struggle with MFA. They might not have a smartphone, may not know how to retrieve an OTP, or simply forget their authentication method. This frustration can push them towards alternative, often more expensive, in-person or phone-based support channels, defeating the purpose of a digital service.

Different Types of MFA & Their Challenges

MFA can take various forms, each with its own pros and cons:

• SMS-based OTPs – Convenient but vulnerable to SIM swapping and interception.

• Authenticator apps (Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator) – More secure but require setup and reliance on a single device.

• Biometric authentication (Face ID, fingerprint scanners) – Secure and user-friendly but limited to modern devices.

• Hardware security keys (YubiKey, Titan Security Key) – Extremely secure but costly and impractical for average users.

For a tech-savvy individual, these options may not seem like a problem. But for someone who rarely uses technology, requiring MFA can feel like an impossible barrier.

Who Really Benefits?

While service providers claim that MFA is for the user's benefit, in many cases, it’s more about reducing their own liability and costs associated with fraud and account recovery. A locked-out user means fewer support calls for a compromised account, but it can also mean losing customers who simply give up on the service.

Companies should consider whether MFA is truly necessary for their service or if they are implementing it just to shift the burden onto users. If security is critical, they should at least offer user-friendly alternatives and ensure that their support systems are equipped to assist those who struggle with authentication.

The Balance Between Security and Accessibility

Security and convenience are often at odds. While MFA undeniably enhances protection, it should be implemented with the user in mind. If a service deals with money, sensitive personal information, or confidential business data, MFA is a must. However, for a simple public registration system with no real security risks, forcing users to go through extra steps every time they log in can feel unnecessary and exclusionary.

Instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach, companies should:

• Allow users to opt into MFA where appropriate.

• Offer alternative verification methods tailored to different user needs.

• Provide clear, accessible guidance on using MFA effectively.

• Avoid making security measures so frustrating that they drive users away.

At the end of the day, security should not come at the expense of accessibility. Users are not the enemy—poorly implemented security measures are. If a service forces unnecessary barriers on users, it’s not protecting them—it’s just making their lives harder.

Software Quality: What You See and What You Don’t

When clients review a software implementation—whether a website, a mobile application, or a complex enterprise system—they focus on what they can see. The user interface is their window into the software: the graphics, colours, buttons, and alignment of elements. They also experience usability issues firsthand—if a button does not work, navigation is unclear, or the system does not fit their business needs. In short, they can easily judge what is immediately visible.

The client will raise concerns if the software looks unfinished—if screen elements are misaligned, fonts are inconsistent, or colours clash. These visual issues are easy to notice and relatively simple to fix. However, what about the parts of the software that remain hidden beneath the surface?

The Hidden Depths of Software Quality

Beneath the surface of a sleek user interface lies the true foundation of any software: its underlying code. Clients do not see this, and yet, it is where some of the most serious problems can lurk.

Software that appears polished on the outside can still be a mess underneath—filled with rushed fixes, careless hacks, and neglected structural integrity. What they don’t see can be far more damaging than what they do:

• Messy, Unstructured Code – If the code is chaotic and lacks a clear structure, making changes or fixing bugs becomes a nightmare.

• Lack of Documentation – If the original developers fail to document their work, future teams will struggle to understand how the system functions.

• Poor Error Handling – A program might appear fine until an unexpected action causes it to crash because no one accounted for error scenarios.

• Hidden Loops and Inefficiencies – Poorly optimized code may lead to slow performance, excessive resource usage, or system crashes as the workload increases.

• Security Gaps – A lack of attention to security best practices could leave the software vulnerable to data breaches, even if it looks perfect on the surface.

What Poor Visible Quality Says About The Hidden Code

There is a simple but unsettling truth: if the software looks bad on the surface, the chances are high that the underlying code is even worse. A team that ignores visual consistency might also ignore proper security measures, performance optimization, and long-term maintainability. A broken button can be fixed in minutes, but a broken foundation can haunt a business for years.

Imagine a house with peeling paint and broken steps. These are surface issues, but they make you wonder: if this is how they handle the outside, what horrors lie in the wiring, plumbing, and foundation? The same logic applies to software. If a website’s buttons are misaligned and the fonts are a chaotic mix, what are the odds that the backend is filled with rushed fixes, untested functions, and hidden vulnerabilities?

How This Hurts Clients

Clients who only judge software by its visible appearance might not realize the problems they are inheriting. The real damage happens over time:

1. Rising Maintenance Costs

When software is built with shortcuts and sloppy code, future updates become expensive. A simple feature change can take weeks because developers have to untangle the existing mess first.

2. Unexpected Failures

A system that looks fine today might suddenly start failing under real-world conditions. A small data spike, a minor software update, or an overlooked error scenario could bring the entire system crashing down.

3. Security Risks

Poorly structured software often contains security vulnerabilities. A minor oversight in data handling can lead to serious breaches, putting customer information and business integrity at risk.

4. Scalability Nightmares

A company may grow, but a poorly designed system will not grow with it. What works for 100 users might break completely when stretched to 10,000 users. The business then faces expensive rewrites and lost opportunities.

5. Damage to Reputation

A slow, buggy, or unreliable platform can lead to frustrated customers, negative reviews, and lost revenue. In many industries, trust and reliability are everything—once lost, they are hard to recover.

Ensuring Quality from the Inside Out

While clients may not see the code, it is the responsibility of development teams to uphold quality standards at every level. The key to avoiding the dangers of hidden software rot lies in discipline and best practices:

• Code reviews ensure standards are maintained and prevent bad practices from taking root.

• Comprehensive testing helps catch issues before they reach production.

• Clear documentation allows future developers to understand and maintain the software.

• Security-first development prevents costly vulnerabilities and breaches.

• Performance optimization ensures scalability and efficiency over time.

Final Thoughts

When evaluating software, it is easy to focus on what can be seen, but true quality goes much deeper. If the surface appears neglected, there is a strong chance that the underlying software is full of quick fixes, rushed patches, and hidden problems waiting to surface.

A reliable and long-lasting software product is one where both the user experience and the underlying structure are given equal care. Clients should demand quality beyond the visible, and developers should take pride in crafting software that is solid from the inside out. Because if left unchecked, the unseen problems will one day come to light—with costly consequences.