It is increasingly important to protect our sensitive electronic data. It is estimated that over 30,000 websites are hacked every day, and according to the IBM Data Breach Report of 2021, data breaches and ransomware in 2021 cost companies an average of $4.6 million dollars. Simple passwords and basic password protection aren’t enough to protect you and your organization against a potentially dangerous and costly data breach.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an electronic method of password and user authentication that requires the user to have two or more forms of identity verification to get access to a website, account, application, or network. These different forms of identity verification, or “factors” could include a fingerprint scan, a code emailed or texted to your personal device, or an authenticator app that generates a new code every 60 seconds.
Chances are, you have already used MFA in one way or another. When you log into your email from a new device, you might be prompted to enter in an OTP (one-time password) that was sent to you. Maybe you must use your fingerprint and your password to log into your online banking app. These kinds of MFA help keep your accounts secure and keep hackers from stealing your valuable and sensitive personal information. Integrating these security measures in your organization will also help protect your sensitive and proprietary data that keep your organization running smoothly. This could include anything from your sensitive client data, financial information, private emails, and even your personnel data like social security numbers and bank information.
Most of the applications that you and your business use will likely have a multi-factor authentication option available; you just need to activate it and train your team to use it. Though it may seem like an inconvenience, having MFA is the first line of defense against hackers. If MFA is offered on an application that you use, it is important to ALWAYS enable it before an intrusion happens.
MFA can be enacted in multiple different ways, depending on the application you are trying to access, or the needs of your organization.
MFA can use what you know: A password, a username, or the answer to security questions
MFA can use what you have: An authenticator app on your phone, or a code sent to your email address
MFA can use what you are: A fingerprint, an eye scan, or a voice activation key.
Having Multi-Factor Authentication enabled for you key business applications and resources can keep you and your organization from experiencing major data breaches, financial disaster, and crippling hacking attempts. As a reputable MSP, Digital323 knows the security needs of organizations and industry best practices to keep your IT functional, stable, and secure. MFA will secure your data and applications and protect you from disastrous data breaches. If MFA is offered on an application that you use, it is important to enable it before an intrusion happens.
Contact Digital323 to roll out MFA and other technologies to secure your data and applications.
