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Nicole Keiner
- Why Passwords are Not Enough: The Importance of Multifactor Authentication
Knowledge Base
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)?
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 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 is a crucial requirement for any outside access to any system. This includes email, Office 365, SharePoint, VPN (virtual private network), cloud applications, or just about any system that can be accessed from a remote location. MFA 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.
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