MFA Meaning: What is Multi-Factor Authentication?

What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?

Let’s start with the basics. Multi-factor authentication is when you combine at least two ways to prove your identity to a website or service. These “factors” involved in proving a user’s identity can include:

●      A unique PIN is sent to your phone (something you have)
●      A one-time passcode that changes every 30 seconds (something you know)
●      Your fingerprint (something that you are)

These factors prevent cybercriminals from being able to access your information, even if they steal one piece of information from you. Using multi-factor authentication means that even if hackers gain unauthorized access once, they won’t be able to do so again without getting past those additional security measures. Get assistance setting up MFA at Managed IT Services Los Angeles.

6 Reasons Why Your Business Needs Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication is a must for any business, especially if you don’t want to get hacked. Most companies believe they are safe because they have antivirus software or firewalls installed on their devices and servers. Still, these are usually not enough to protect businesses from attacks and data breaches.

1.    Secure Against Identity Theft Via Stolen Passwords

The threat of password theft is a significant problem for businesses and consumers. People who have their accounts hijacked by hackers are often unaware of the intrusion, or they may not be able to do anything about it if they realize something isn’t right. For example, many people use the same login information for several different online accounts, making it easier for hackers who can commit one breach to access other sites with that information.

Multi-factor authentication can help prevent this situation by requiring more than just a username and password before granting access to an account. When MFA is enabled, users must provide additional proof that they’re who they say they are before granted access—and even then, only after entering their credentials correctly into a second-factor device like an app on their phone or tablet.

2.    Protect Against Weak Employee Passwords

Most businesses must adopt multi-factor authentication to protect their employees’ accounts. This is because the main reason for doing so is that employee passwords are often the weakest link in the security chain. Over 90% of all data breaches are estimated to involve invalid or stolen credentials. That’s right: even though you might think your personal information is safe in your hands and protected by strong passwords, most people still use weak ones or reuse them across multiple sites/accounts. Maybe they like using simple combinations of words, letters, or personal information, which makes it easy to remember and, unfortunately, very easy for hackers to guess.

3.    Mitigate The Use Of Unmanaged Devices

Multi-factor authentication is a security measure that protects your business from unsecured devices, which can be productivity, compliance, and cost risk.

Gartner states, “unmanaged devices are the weak link in an organization’s security chain.” Unmanaged devices are sometimes used for work outside the office without any anti-virus software installed. If these unsecured computers have been infected with malware that can steal data from other computers on your network or even access sensitive company information overseas. If a hacker gets into your system using an unmanaged computer, they could get access to confidential information like payroll numbers or trade secrets.

4.    Enable Other Security Measures

Multi-factor authentication is a powerful way to prevent hackers from gaining access to your accounts. However, it’s not the only security measure you can use to protect yourself and your business.

Multiple layers of protection are always better than one layer alone. Here are other options:

• Enable two-step verification on your social media profiles and email account(s). Two-step verification adds an extra layer between hackers and access by requiring users to enter their password, and a code sent via SMS or phone call before allowing them to enter their accounts.
• Use VPN software that hides your IP address when surfing the web so it’s harder for hackers to find where you live.* Put all sensitive data behind firewalls to keep intruders out of it.

5.    Increase Your Employee Productivity And Flexibility

With the rise of remote work and an increasingly mobile workforce, supporting employees who work outside the office is more important than ever. Multi-factor authentication allows you to do this by providing a means for employees to access their accounts from anywhere. As long as they have their phone or another device, they can log in remotely without being forced to use an access card or key fob. This can help reduce costs associated with telecommuting and save time for those who require frequent access to sensitive data on their computers (such as salespeople working from home).

6.    Stay Compliant with Evolving Regulatory Frameworks

Multi-factor authentication is not just about protecting your business. It’s also about protecting your customers and employees. You need to consider their needs as well because they are the ones who will be affected by this if you get hacked.

Compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks like NIST 800-63-3 and ISO 27001:2013 can help ensure that corporations stay safe from cyberattacks while meeting the demands of data privacy laws such as GDPR in Europe and CIPA in Australia.

Conclusion

Using multi-factor authentication can give your company an edge over competitors and help you protect your data from hackers. By using MFA, you can ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive information or make changes to important documents such as contracts and invoices.

While it may seem complicated at first glance, there are many ways to implement this feature into your business without spending too much time or money on it. IT consulting Irvine can help you with this.