The traditional username and password as a method of authentication, while generally quite convenient, can leave users vulnerable. It’s because of the numerous security risks this practice, alone, possesses that multi-factor authentication is becoming increasingly popular for businesses and a range of other organisations.
Multi-factor authentication uses two or more checks to verify customer identity. The greater the number of checks means that a greater level of security is enjoyed compared to traditional authentication methods.
To get a better idea of why this form of authentication is becoming critical for organisations and what you need to factor in before you adopt it, explore our post for the insights you need.
Why implement multi-factor authentication?
With data breaches popping up on the news on an almost daily basis, it’s evident that businesses face a greater level of risk than at any time in the past.
With the growing number of risks involved, multi-factor authentication is a relatively simple way to ensure a greater degree of security - something made more critical in an age of remote work.
Multi-factor authentication gives users access to their accounts by looking at patterns such as geo-location and the type of system used to log in. These additional measures facilitate a safe space in which data can be held with a greater degree of security.
In comparison to multi-factor authentication, traditional logins with a username and password can be easily hacked by attackers. If a person has the right information, weak passwords can be easily guessed. Hackers gain valuable information using phishing, keylogging or pharming techniques, which trick users into providing private credentials.
Data breaches are on the rise with more and more systems being exploited by hackers. These attackers use sophisticated techniques to gain access to your systems, which are often only guarded by a traditional username and password.
The risk involved goes beyond data. Once a hacker gains access to your system, they can destroy or damage software or data, access your programmes and spread malware or viruses. They could cause great damage to organisational reputation and cost you plenty of money immediately and down the line. They could even hold information for ransom.
An advantage of multi-factor authentication is the ease with which it can be implemented. Often, when software is changed, there tends to be a host of unexpected consequences. Multi-factor authentication, however, is easily implemented into your systems. With more and more organisations opting for this model of authentication, employees are familiarising themselves with more cyber-secure practices.
The application and implementation of these security measures are rather inexpensive. Multi-factor authentication comes at a low cost with a high rate of success at keeping your data and resources safe.
Things to consider before adopting multi-factor authentication
With all the added value multi-factor authentication provides, you may be considering jumping ahead to the task of implementation. Before you do so, here are a few things you should consider before you implement multi-factor authentication.
The first thing you should consider is how user-friendly the solution is. With your teams being at the centre of what you do and your security operations, you have to consider how employees treat your attempts to adopt MFA.
Then there is the consideration as to how scalable the solution is. Does the solution fit well within your current processes and do they add value to your security programme? You would also have to consider whether the solution would be integrated as an update to your existing identity database or as a new database.
As opposed to individual preferences when it comes to tokens, consider which tokens work best for the organisation as a whole and implement multi-factor authentication accordingly.
Move to multi-factor authentication in 2020 and beyond
Nowadays, with organisations opening their doors to remote working due to COVID-19, more employees will be looking to work remotely in the future. Without basic security training, your cybersecurity could be at risk of exploitation
When it comes to your cybersecurity strategy, the use of multi-factor authentication is now a recommended best practice.
For expert cybersecurity support, our team at Triskele Labs can meet your needs. We provide you with security assessment support and analyse your needs and your level of security before making targeted recommendations.
