Why Passwords are Not Enough: The Importance of Multifactor Authentication

Passwords have been a single level of protection we have been using to keep our computers and files safe and secure since the early 1960s. (Quick history snippet if you are on Jeopardy someday – the first password login required to gain access to a computer was created in 1961 by MIT.)  

With cybercriminal activity on the rise in recent years, passwords are not enough to keep our information safe. Using an extra layer of protection (multifactor authentication) can drastically reduce the risk of identity theft, data breaches, and most types of cyber threats. According to Microsoft, using multifactor authentication can prevent 99.9% of attacks. 99.9%? Is that enough to get you interested in learning more? It should be.

What is Multifactor Authentication ( MFA Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security enhancement that requires users to verify their identity using multiple credentials before gaining access to a system, application, or service. This layered approach to security helps ensure that the person requesting access is indeed who they claim to be, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access. MFA generally involves a combination of two or more of the following factors: Something you know: A password, PIN, or answer to a security question. Something you have: A physical token, smart card, or a mobile phone to receive a verification code. Something you are: Biometric identifiers, such as a fingerprint, facial recognition, or voice, that uniquely identify the user. By requiring multiple forms of verification, MFA adds an additional layer of defense against potential threats, even if one factor (such as a password) becomes compromised. For instance, even if an attacker obtains a user's password, they would still need the second form of authentication to gain access. In today's digital landscape, where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, implementing MFA is a critical step for organizations to protect sensitive data and systems. It enhances security for end-users and across the enterprise, making it a fundamental component of a robust cybersecurity strategy. )?

 Multifactor authentication is an account verification method requiring the user to provide two or more types of identity evidence to gain access to an account or application. They add an additional layer of protection to the login process. MFAs require users to identify themselves by more than their login credentials (username and password).  

David Steele, co-owner of Intrada Technologies, says, “MFAs have become a necessary addition to your current business’s cybersecurity plan. By adding this to your current employee login process, you will be saving your company a lot of future time and money while also offering a greatly increased level of security to your files and accounts, which drastically reduces the likelihood of a successful cyberattack.”

TYPES OF MFAs

Recommended by Intrada: SMS Token Authentication, Email Token Authentication, and Possession

• SMS Token Authentication – a one-time password (OTP) sent via text to verify the identity of the user
• Email Token Authentication – an OTP sent via email to verify the identity of the user
• Possession - something the user has, like a safety/security token such as a key fob or a microchip or an authenticator app

Not recommended by Intrada: Heritage, Time or Place-based

• Heritage – retina/fingerprint/voice recognition
• Place – simply based on the user’s physical location
• Time – a time-based window of opportunity to authenticate like an OTP  

The key to MFA Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security enhancement that requires users to verify their identity using multiple credentials before gaining access to a system, application, or service. This layered approach to security helps ensure that the person requesting access is indeed who they claim to be, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access. MFA generally involves a combination of two or more of the following factors: Something you know: A password, PIN, or answer to a security question. Something you have: A physical token, smart card, or a mobile phone to receive a verification code. Something you are: Biometric identifiers, such as a fingerprint, facial recognition, or voice, that uniquely identify the user. By requiring multiple forms of verification, MFA adds an additional layer of defense against potential threats, even if one factor (such as a password) becomes compromised. For instance, even if an attacker obtains a user's password, they would still need the second form of authentication to gain access. In today's digital landscape, where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, implementing MFA is a critical step for organizations to protect sensitive data and systems. It enhances security for end-users and across the enterprise, making it a fundamental component of a robust cybersecurity strategy. is to add another layer of user interaction to confirm the correct person is accessing the correct account from a verified device or location. If you have recently applied for cyber insurance or are considering cyber insurance, MFA Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security enhancement that requires users to verify their identity using multiple credentials before gaining access to a system, application, or service. This layered approach to security helps ensure that the person requesting access is indeed who they claim to be, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access. MFA generally involves a combination of two or more of the following factors: Something you know: A password, PIN, or answer to a security question. Something you have: A physical token, smart card, or a mobile phone to receive a verification code. Something you are: Biometric identifiers, such as a fingerprint, facial recognition, or voice, that uniquely identify the user. By requiring multiple forms of verification, MFA adds an additional layer of defense against potential threats, even if one factor (such as a password) becomes compromised. For instance, even if an attacker obtains a user's password, they would still need the second form of authentication to gain access. In today's digital landscape, where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, implementing MFA is a critical step for organizations to protect sensitive data and systems. It enhances security for end-users and across the enterprise, making it a fundamental component of a robust cybersecurity strategy. is a crucial requirement for any outside access to any system. This includes email, Office 365, SharePoint, VPN A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that creates a secure, encrypted connection over a less secure network, such as the internet. By using a VPN, users can send and receive data across shared or public networks as if their computing devices were directly connected to the private network, ensuring privacy and security. VPNs are commonly used to protect sensitive data, hide the user's IP address, and bypass geographic restrictions on websites and streaming content. VPNs work by routing the user's internet traffic through a server operated by the VPN provider, masking their true IP address and encrypting all transmitted data. This encryption makes it difficult for anyone, including hackers and government agencies, to intercept and read the data. VPNs are particularly useful for remote workers who need to securely access their company's internal network or for individuals who want to enhance their online privacy. There are different types of VPNs, including Remote Access VPNs, which allow individual users to connect to a remote network securely, and Site-to-Site VPNs, which connect entire networks to each other over the internet, often used by large organizations to link offices in different locations. By using a VPN, individuals and businesses can ensure that their online activities remain private and their sensitive information is protected in transit. (virtual private network), cloud applications, or just about any system that can be accessed from a remote location. MFA Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security enhancement that requires users to verify their identity using multiple credentials before gaining access to a system, application, or service. This layered approach to security helps ensure that the person requesting access is indeed who they claim to be, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access. MFA generally involves a combination of two or more of the following factors: Something you know: A password, PIN, or answer to a security question. Something you have: A physical token, smart card, or a mobile phone to receive a verification code. Something you are: Biometric identifiers, such as a fingerprint, facial recognition, or voice, that uniquely identify the user. By requiring multiple forms of verification, MFA adds an additional layer of defense against potential threats, even if one factor (such as a password) becomes compromised. For instance, even if an attacker obtains a user's password, they would still need the second form of authentication to gain access. In today's digital landscape, where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, implementing MFA is a critical step for organizations to protect sensitive data and systems. It enhances security for end-users and across the enterprise, making it a fundamental component of a robust cybersecurity strategy. is that extra lock on the door requiring two keys to help keep everything safe and secure.   

If your company is interested in learning about preventing 99.9% of cyberattacks by simply adding multifactor authentication to your cybersecurity configuration, give us a call at 1-800-858-5745 or fill out the contact form below. At Intrada, we are here to help. We will review all types of MFAs to see what method fits your organization and compliancy requirements.