Have you noticed that your various accounts require multiple identity verification methods when you log in these days? You can no longer access your email, accounting system, or cloud applications by only entering your username and password. Instead, you need to enter a short code you receive on your phone or via email. Sometimes, you can also get verification calls using biometric data or a smart card.
Do you know what this is? It is multi-factor authentication (MFA). It consists of three things that you combine for identity verification. You can summarize MFA as “something you are, something you have, and something you know.” For instance, a combination of tokens, a username, password, or biometrics.
Setting multiple verification methods may seem like a hassle, but it makes your accounts secure. Below are some reasons to enable MFA:
Secure Incase Passwords Get Stolen
These days password theft is evolving. Cybercriminals’ main methods to steal passwords are keylogging, phishing, and pharming. Keylogging involves secretly recording keys that strike on a keyboard. Phishing consists of fraudulent calls, emails, or SMS that ask for your sensitive information. Pharming includes installing malicious code on the device that redirects users to fraudulent sites.
Any individual or enterprise can easily become a victim of these attacks. But MFA ensures that your identity and accounts remain secure even if your password gets leaked.
MFA Adapts with Change in the Workplace
These days employees work outside the companies. So, with change in the workplace, you need more advanced MFA solutions that manage complex access requests. MFA offers multiple protection layers and evaluates potential risks while looking at the user’s location and device.
For instance, if you log in from your office, you will not get a prompt message for additional security factors. But if you log in from a café using your mobile, you will receive an SMS for verification of another factor.
Reduce the Usage of Unmanaged Devices
These days companies have embraced the remote working concept. So, employees often use personal devices or less secure internet connections. A hacker can easily install password-stealing malware on the device due to a compromised router. When you use MFA, you don’t have to worry about the security of unmanaged devices.
Improve Employee Productivity and Flexibility
Remembering so many passwords can be a huge burden. Therefore, many people use simple code, but that is easy to crack. To avoid this, many companies enforce password policies encouraging employees to set stronger passwords and update them regularly. But a new issue of forgetting the password arises with it.
Forgetting the password means password resetting, and it costs more time. In such cases, MFA allows you to sign in via a single-use code generated by an app or a fingerprint scan.
Stay Compliant
If your company deals with personally identifiable information or finances, state or federal laws may need an MFA security. MFA ensures access to protected health information by only authorized users. So, it allows your firm to remain compliant with HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
To Sum Up
Multi-Factor Authentication methods are quite inexpensive and easy to deploy. In addition, they provide a simple, effective solution to users and a wider business network. So, ask yourself why you haven’t already adopted this cybersecurity plan and go for it as soon as possible.
