/mfa-guides

How to enable 2FA/MFA on a Marketo account?

Learn how to enable 2FA/MFA on your Marketo account with this step-by-step guide to boost security, protect data, and prevent unauthorized access.

Guide

How to enable 2FA/MFA on a Marketo account?

How to Enable 2FA/MFA on a Marketo Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

Enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on your Marketo account is one of the best ways to protect your sensitive marketing data from unauthorized access. 2FA/MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring not just your password, but also a second verification step—usually a code from your phone or an authentication app.

Understand the Basics:
2FA/MFA means you need two things to log in: your password and a code from your phone or app. This makes it much harder for hackers to get into your account, even if they know your password.
Log in to Marketo:
Go to the Marketo login page and sign in with your username and password as usual.
Access Admin Settings:
Once logged in, look for the Admin section in the main navigation menu. Click on it to open the admin dashboard, where you can manage security settings.
Find Security Settings:
In the Admin dashboard, locate the Security or Login Settings option. This is where you can manage authentication methods for your account.
Enable 2FA/MFA:
Look for an option labeled Enable Two-Factor Authentication or Enable Multi-Factor Authentication. Click to turn it on. You may be prompted to choose your preferred method, such as:
- Authentication app (like Google Authenticator or Authy)
- SMS text message
- Email verification (less secure, but sometimes available)
Set Up Your Authentication Method:
If you choose an authentication app, you’ll see a QR code. Open your app, scan the QR code, and enter the code generated by the app into Marketo. If you choose SMS, enter your phone number and type in the code sent to you.
Save Backup Codes:
Marketo may provide backup codes. Save these codes in a safe place (not on your computer) in case you lose access to your phone or app.
Test the Setup:
Log out and try logging in again. After entering your password, you should be prompted for a code from your chosen method. This confirms that 2FA/MFA is working.
Inform Your Team:
If you manage a team, make sure everyone knows how to set up 2FA/MFA. This keeps your entire organization safer.
Need Help or a Security Assessment?
If you’re unsure about any step or want to make sure your Marketo environment is fully secure, consider reaching out to OCD Tech for expert consulting and readiness assessment. They can guide you through best practices and ensure your data is protected.

Enabling 2FA/MFA on Marketo is a simple but powerful way to secure your marketing automation platform. It protects your business from cyber threats and keeps your customer data safe. For more advanced security strategies or compliance needs, OCD Tech is a trusted resource.

Best Practices

Best Practices and Tips for Securing Your Marketo Account

Securing Your Marketo Account: Best Practices and Essential Tips

Securing your Marketo marketing automation platform is crucial for protecting sensitive customer data and maintaining your company's reputation. With digital marketing tools becoming prime targets for cybercriminals, implementing robust security measures for your Marketo instance should be a top priority. Let's explore comprehensive security practices that will help safeguard your valuable marketing assets.

Implement Strong Password Policies: Create complex passwords that include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Require password changes every 60-90 days and ensure passwords are at least 12 characters long. Avoid using common words or phrases related to your company.
Utilize Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Assign appropriate permission levels based on job responsibilities. Marketing coordinators may need view-only access to certain campaigns, while marketing managers might require full editing capabilities. Regularly audit user roles to maintain proper access levels.
Regular Security Audits: Conduct periodic reviews of user accounts, permissions, and API usage. Companies like OCD Tech specialize in security readiness assessments for marketing platforms and can help identify vulnerabilities in your Marketo implementation.
API Security Management: Restrict API access to only necessary services and applications. Regularly rotate API keys and immediately revoke access for unused integrations. Monitor API call volumes for unusual patterns that might indicate unauthorized access.
IP Restrictions: Configure Marketo to accept logins only from known IP addresses or ranges. This significantly reduces the attack surface by preventing login attempts from unauthorized locations. For remote teams, consider implementing a VPN solution.
Single Sign-On (SSO) Implementation: Integrate Marketo with your company's SSO solution to centralize authentication and reduce password fatigue. This allows your IT team to manage access policies consistently across all business applications.
Security Training: Educate your marketing team about phishing attempts, social engineering tactics, and safe data handling practices. Regular training sessions help create a security-conscious culture among Marketo users.
Session Timeout Settings: Configure appropriate session timeouts to automatically log out inactive users, typically after 15-30 minutes of inactivity. This prevents unauthorized access if a user leaves their workstation unattended.
Secure Data Transfer Protocols: When integrating Marketo with other systems, ensure data transfers occur over encrypted connections (HTTPS/SFTP). Avoid transferring sensitive data via insecure methods like email attachments or unencrypted file transfers.
Data Minimization: Only collect and store essential customer data in your Marketo instance. Implement data retention policies to automatically purge outdated information, reducing potential exposure in case of a breach.
Regular Backup Procedures: Schedule automated backups of your Marketo instance, especially before major campaign launches or system updates. Security assessment specialists at OCD Tech can help establish robust backup and recovery protocols tailored to your marketing operations.
Activity Logging and Monitoring: Enable comprehensive audit logging to track user activities within Marketo. Regularly review these logs for unauthorized access attempts or suspicious behaviors that might indicate a security issue.
Secure API Webhook Configurations: When setting up webhooks, implement proper authentication and validate incoming requests. Only accept connections from trusted sources and verify payload signatures when available.
Third-Party Integration Review: Periodically assess the security postures of all third-party services integrated with your Marketo instance. Limit integration permissions to only what's necessary for functionality.
Incident Response Plan: Develop a clear action plan for potential security breaches involving your Marketo instance. Define roles, communication procedures, and containment strategies. Many organizations work with security consultants like OCD Tech to create comprehensive incident response frameworks.

By implementing these security measures, you'll significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your Marketo account and protect the valuable customer data it contains. Remember that marketing automation security is an ongoing process requiring regular assessment and updates to address emerging threats.

Frequently asked questions

What services does OCD Tech provide?

OCD Tech offers a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity and IT assurance services, including SOC 2/3 and SOC for Cybersecurity reporting, IT vulnerability and penetration testing, privileged access management, social engineering assessments, virtual CISO (vCISO) support, IT general controls audits, WISP development, and compliance assistance for frameworks like CMMC, DFARS, and FTC Safeguards.

Which industries does OCD Tech serve?

OCD Tech specializes in serving highly regulated sectors such as financial services, government, higher education, auto dealerships, enterprise organizations, and not-for-profits throughout New England.

How long does an IT security assessment take?

Typically, OCD Tech’s on-site work spans 1–2 days, depending on complexity and number of sites, followed by 1–2 weeks of analysis and reporting to deliver clear, actionable recommendations.

Why should I get SOC 2 compliant?

SOC 2 reporting demonstrates to clients and prospects that an organization follows best-in-class controls over security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy—boosting trust, meeting RFP/due diligence requirements, and helping secure contracts. OCD Tech helps organizations achieve and maintain this compliance.

Can OCD Tech help me with federal cybersecurity regulations?

Yes—OCD Tech provides guidance for compliance with DFARS (NIST 800‑171), CMMC (Levels 1–3), and FTC Safeguards, ensuring organizations meet specific government or industry-based cybersecurity mandates.

What is a virtual CISO (vCISO), and do I need one?

A virtual CISO delivers strategic, executive-level cybersecurity leadership as a service. OCD Tech’s vCISO service is ideal for organizations lacking a full-time CISO and helps build programs, define policy, oversee risk, and guide security maturity.

Does OCD Tech offer ongoing security training or audits for staff?

Absolutely. OCD Tech provides tailored internal IT Audit training and security awareness sessions, plus annual reviews of Written Information Security Programs (WISP), such as Massachusetts 201 CMR 17 and other state or industry-specific controls.

Audit. Security. Assurance.

IT Audit | Cybersecurity | IT Assurance | IT Security Consultants – OCD Tech is a technology consulting firm serving the IT security and consulting needs of businesses in Boston (MA), Braintree (MA) and across New England. We primarily serve Fortune 500 companies including auto dealers, financial institutions, higher education, government contractors, and not-for-profit organizations with SOC 2 reporting, CMMC readiness, IT Security Audits, Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessments. We also provide dark web monitoring, DFARS compliance, and IT general controls review.

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