Cyberattacks, phishing scams, and credential‑stuffing tools grow more sophisticated every quarter. In B2B eCommerce the stakes are higher still: large order volumes, customer‑specific pricing, and sensitive contractual data amplify the impact of a single compromised account. Multi‑Factor Authentication (MFA) adds a second (or third) barrier, so even if a password leaks, an attacker still can’t get in.
As previously mentioned in our post on how to Strengthen SuiteCommerce Security with Custom Multi-Factor Authentication, MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) is a security process that requires users to provide two or more forms of verification when logging into an account. These factors typically fall into three categories:
Something you know – Like a password, PIN, or security question.
Something you have – A smartphone, security token, or authenticator app.
Something you are – A biometric factor such as a fingerprint or facial recognition
So, if someone tries to log in with just a password? That’s not enough anymore.
Example Scenario
Let’s say one of your SuiteCommerce customers logs into their B2B portal:
The customer enters their username and password.
They immediately receive a 6-digit verification code via email.
After entering the code on the website, they gain access to their account.
Even if an attacker steals the password, they won’t be able to log in without the second factor, the unique code sent to the user’s email. Simple, secure, and effective.
1. Transactions Are High-Value
B2B transactions are often higher in value than B2C. A single unauthorized transaction could result in major financial losses or contract breaches.
➡️ Example:
A B2B customer places a $50,000 order for manufacturing equipment. If an attacker gains access and modifies the order, the financial hit and reputational damage could be significant. MFA would prevent unauthorized access even if the password was compromised, it stops attacks right at login.
2. Sensitive Data and Compliance
B2B platforms store sensitive business data, including customer information and financial details.
➡️ Example:
A customer’s order history, pricing agreements, and tax information are all stored in SuiteCommerce. If an attacker gains access, it could expose sensitive pricing structures, leading to competitive disadvantages and loss of trust.
MFA helps prevent that and meet industry regulations like GDPR by securing access to this data.
3. Preventing Account Takeovers
Credential stuffing and phishing attacks are common threats. If a customer uses the same password across multiple platforms and one is breached, the attacker could access their B2B account.
➡️ Example:
An employee uses the same password for their SuiteCommerce account and a social media account. When that password gets leaked, the attacker tries to log into the SuiteCommerce store, but MFA blocks the login attempt when the attacker can’t pass the second factor.
4. Access Control for Different User Roles
Not everyone in a company needs access to everything. In B2B, different user roles may require different levels of access. For example, a purchasing manager may have access to pricing and payment details, while a sales rep can only view product catalogs.
➡️ Example:
A purchasing manager is required to authenticate with MFA when placing an order, but a sales rep logging in to check product availability only needs a password. SuiteCommerce allows customizing MFA based on user roles to strike a balance between security and convenience.
Enhanced Security Without Friction
Our lightweight customization emails a six‑digit code to the user and verifies it before session creation. MFA can be configured to specific groups of users and to remember trusted devices for returning users.
Pluggable roadmap
Google Authenticator, Duo, and other TOTP apps are next on our list. The design already supports them.
Adaptive & branded
Trigger MFA on high‑value carts, new devices, or risky IPs, all inside a login flow that matches your storefront’s look.
Rate limiting and lockouts can further protect against automated attacks.
Unauthorized Order Attempt
An attacker steals John’s password. MFA asks for a code John never receives, blocking the $50 k fraud and triggering a password reset.
Secure Onboarding
New customer Sarah registers, approves the first login on her phone, and feels confident placing orders from day one.
Password Leak Containment
Mike reuses a password that later leaks. A bot hits your store but stalls at the MFA prompt, giving you time to alert Mike.
If you’re running SuiteCommerce, enabling MFA is one of the smartest moves you can make to protect your storefront and your customers.
Now, while NetSuite does offer built-in MFA features, things can get a little tricky when it comes to SuiteCommerce. Especially if you’re looking for a smooth, secure experience that fits rights into your MyAccount customer login. That’s were our team comes in. If you feel you can use some help, feel free to reach out, we’d be happy to review your current setup and help you find the best approach for your business.
Encourage users to enable MFA voluntarily, but require it for customers with high-value transactions.
Provide clear instructions for setting up and using MFA.
MFA isn’t just a smart move, it’s becoming the standard in B2B eCommerce security. For SuiteCommerce users, enabling MFA can dramatically improve security, protect sensitive business data, and increase customer trust. By setting up MFA correctly and aligning it with business needs, SuiteCommerce users can protect both their business and their customers from the growing threat of cyberattacks, without sacrificing the user experience.
Tech Lead with a strong background in software engineering and extensive experience developing customized NetSuite solutions. He brings a wealth of technical expertise to the team and is dedicated to delivering high-quality, efficient, and scalable solutions for our clients' eCommerce needs. With a keen focus on maintainability and long-term performance, Fabian plays a key role in designing and implementing customizations that help clients improve their processes and achieve their goals.
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