Why Your Business Needs Multi-Factor Authentication

The methods of cybersecurity are always evolving, and that’s because the possible threats of having our business systems breached and our data stolen are forever becoming more sophisticated. 

For that reason, your business cannot afford to apply anything less than the best in cybersecurity practice, constantly updating your processes while ensuring they are sustainable to use.

This last part is very important because while it seems as though complex and sophisticated ‘hacks’ are the most pressing issue, the most common vulnerability our systems face are that of human and user error. This means that any cybersecurity norms we should establish must be understandable and routinely applied by our staff.

Enter Multi-Factor Authentication

At the consumer level, you are likely aware of two-factor authentication. When setting up an account with a website, for instance, you will be asked to ensure a second level of account security, often in the form of an additional code sent to your email, phone, or rotating authenticator app, geared in order to provide account access.

Multi-factor authentication goes a step beyond this, often in the form of a biometric measure such as a fingerprint or face scan. This is localized, encrypted, and totally unique to you and your staff.

The Benefits of this System

Not only does multi-factor authentication provide another layer of security, but because it is totally localized, encrypted and can only be unlocked by the professional in question, accounts become more secure. 

Many devices offer a fingerprint reader, face or retina scan, which also means this is a sustainable and easy manner of logging in to an account or network. We need not have to ‘remember’ our fingerprint either, and so this offers heightened security while also providing quick and easy access for all of your staff to use.

This process also means that if account security is compromised in one respect (say your password is stolen and compromised), there are several additional layers of security backing up your account, rendering it inaccessible to the trespassing party. This adds layers of security to your digital infrastructure, as rather than terminating threats, it prevents them.

This means that you have time to update the weak points in your security, such as updating your password, before the account is overtaken and your systems are breached. It also protects against user exploitation, as phishing attacks are on the rise and can catch out even the most professional of employees. There is no current phishing strategy that can render your fingerprint from you, making this a wonderful and reliable system to integrate into your daily practice.

Examples of Multi-Factor Authentication

Some examples of MFA include:

  • OTP (one time passwords) delivered to a mobile phone or email address.
  • OTP delivered to an associated logged-in app.
  • Security keys, USBs, access badges etc.
  • Software licenses, serials and tokens.
  • Login sessions behavioural analysis.
  • Fingerprints.
  • Personal security questions.

Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication

Implementing this excellent resource can take a little time to iron out, but with the best IT company to manage your network services and integrate this technology, this can become an easy fix and one that is up and running in no time at all.

As such, we can compound protections against user error and come out of this process more confident in our security strategy.

In that respect, your systems will gain another painlessly-applied level of security, a win-win for all legitimate parties.