Multi-Factor Authentication Needs to Become the Gold Standard

It’s no secret that passwords have long held center stage when it comes to data security, but if we’re to be honest, a password just isn’t sufficient to protect your business. Don’t get us wrong: passwords remain immensely important, but their role has diminished with the availability of other, more advanced security features. One of these features is something called multi-factor authentication.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication?

Multi-factor authentication is precisely what it sounds like: instead of requiring a single proof that one is who they say they are (like a password), multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires more than one. Oftentimes, the typical password is supplemented by a biometric proof, or a time-sensitive code delivered to a secondary device. Ideally, MFA would take advantage of at least two out of three of the following:

• Something the user knows, like a password.
• Something the user has, like a secondary device.
• Something the user is, like any biometric data you can produce.

Why is Multi-Factor Authentication Important?

Let’s walk through a few scenarios here to illustrate how critical MFA can be to your security.

First, let’s say that a hacker manages to get their hands on your password and you haven’t enabled MFA. With this simple act, they have all they need to access your account and do as they please. On the other hand, if MFA was actively protecting your account, the attacker would have a much different experience. Sure, they could put in the password, but without the second authentication measure available to them, that’s all they could do.

The real key to security is to simply make yourself as inconvenient a target as possible. Most hackers want a quick and easy route so they can maximize the returns they get for their time. Trying to bypass MFA doesn’t jive with this, prompting them to move along to another target before they’ll spend the time to overcome your network’s protections.

This alone makes the highest security standards indispensable, before you factor in the other advantages they give a business. Why leave yourself open to a hacker’s efforts when you can make their objective far more difficult… too difficult to be worth the time? With the right solutions in place, the latter is possible.

We can help you implement the defensive tools that allow you to focus the majority of your attention on your operations. Our security solutions run the gamut to cover all of a business’ needs, and all you need to do is trust us to manage it all for you. Find out more about what we can and will do by calling (703) 821-8200 today.