Organizations depend on Microsoft Entra ID to protect critical services and manage secure access. Now, by integrating Smart ID as a trusted identity provider, they can strengthen MFA (Multi-factor Authentication), meet compliance mandates like NIS2 and eIDAS, and deliver a seamless login experience without disrupting familiar user workflows.
Strong, adaptable MFA is essential for safeguarding digital environments against increasingly sophisticated threats. Yet many organizations using Microsoft Entra ID have faced limitations when expanding their security strategies, as second-factor authentication was historically restricted to native Microsoft methods like Microsoft Authenticator.
This created a disconnect for organizations already invested in trusted identities and secure authentication frameworks. “Critical identity investments could not easily extend to Microsoft environments, adding complexity for IT teams and end users. As a result, the need for a more flexible, integrated MFA approach became increasingly urgent,” explains Olivier Dussutour, CEO and Head of the Workforce Identity at Nexus.
Microsoft’s External Authentication Method (EAM) changes the game
Microsoft’s External Authentication Method (EAM) addresses these challenges by enabling organizations to use trusted external identity providers (IdPs) for MFA in Entra ID. This advancement opens new opportunities to align authentication strategies with broader security frameworks such as NIS2, GDPR, and eIDAS while allowing users to authenticate through familiar, already-issued credentials.
By adopting external authentication, organizations can modernize their security posture without introducing new tools, retraining users, or compromising the consistency of user access across platforms.
Organizations using Smart ID can unify digital access across internal and external environments, reduce complexity, and maximize the value of their trusted credentials — all while maintaining operational simplicity.
As an external Identity Provider (IdP), Smart ID authenticates users and verifies their credentials during the Microsoft Entra login process. By supporting a wide range of authentication methods, Smart ID offers organizations the flexibility to tailor MFA according to operational needs and user preferences. Supported methods include:
“This allows users to authenticate with secure credentials they already trust, such as smart cards, mobile PKI, or FIDO2 tokens, while maintaining a smooth, familiar experience across Microsoft services,” adds Mille Bessö, product manager at Nexus, emphasizing the significance of the move.
In addition, Smart ID enables NFC-based authentication on shared mobile devices — a critical feature for high-assurance environments such as healthcare, government, and regulated industries.
This flexibility ensures organizations meet stringent security requirements while maintaining a consistent and user-friendly access experience.
Modern identity strategies require a comprehensive approach to access control, authorization, and assurance. Smart ID provides the tools to manage access consistently across systems, users, and environments.
Unified access and authorization
Beyond enabling MFA, Smart ID provides a centralized platform for secure login, single sign-on (SSO), and fine-grained access management.
“Organizations can enforce access policies based on a combination of authentication methods, user group membership, device type, network location, and time-based conditions, ensuring consistent security across hybrid environments while reducing administrative overhead,” Mille adds.
Built-in high assurance and cross-border trust
Smart ID’s cloud service supports issuing and managing high-assurance identities aligned with regulatory frameworks set under eIDAS, ANSSI (French National Cybersecurity Agency), and DIGG (Swedish Agency for Digital Governance).
This allows organizations to issue trusted credentials across borders — an essential advantage for multinational teams and regulated sectors where secure, consistent identity assurance is paramount.
Employees can seamlessly access systems, authenticate workflows, and meet assurance requirements across geographies without changing work habits.
One identity for seamless digital and physical access
In addition to digital authentication, Smart ID supports physical access across workplaces, using the same trusted identities.
By customizing and encoding the RFID component of issued smart cards or mobile credentials, organizations can use the same trusted identities for building access systems, secure printing, and other workplace services.
This digital and physical security consolidation simplifies administration, strengthens overall security policies, and creates a seamless user experience across all access points.
Explore solution: Secure, smooth, and scalable authentication with Smart ID
Integrating Smart ID with Microsoft Entra ID brings clear operational advantages:
“By consolidating authentication, SSO, and access control on a unified platform, IT teams can enhance both security and operational efficiency across Microsoft services and broader enterprise environments,” Mille explains.
By integrating Smart ID with Microsoft Entra ID, organizations can combine the benefits of trusted, high-assurance identities with the flexibility needed to meet today’s evolving security and compliance requirements.
“Organizations already using Smart ID can extend its value even further, delivering seamless, secure authentication across Microsoft services and beyond, without adding user friction or complexity for IT teams,” concludes Olivier.
Discover how Smart ID can help you deliver secure, seamless access for your users, at scale and in complete alignment with compliance expectations.
Published
22/04 2025
