What is Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)?
Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) is a security system in which to gain access to a specific resource you need to provide two or more forms of identification. Some examples of this may be entering your password in addition to either a pin code sent to your mobile device, an authentication app, a fingerprint or a security key.
The majority of security breaches are due to insecure passwords. MFA helps prevent this as with a username and password alone, an attacker will not be able to gain access to a secure system or resource. This is because although they may have compromised the username and password, they still lack the second factor required to gain access.
So why implement Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)?
- According to Microsoft, when you implement MFA your accounts are up to 99.9% less likely to be compromised
- Implementing MFA can be low cost, or even free, depending which service(s) you use
- MFA can give you peace of mind that your data is secure when being accessed from locations other than the office
- MFA is generally very easy to use
- Small businesses are increasingly being targeted by cyber criminals. MFA makes it much harder for them and is easily rolled out
- Users are already becoming accustomed to using MFA for things like online banking
MFA is highly recommended by IT Security professionals:
- Alex Weinert, Microsoft’s Group Program Manager for Identity Security and Protection says, “Your password (rules) don’t matter, but MFA does. Go turn on MFA if you haven’t.”
- Symantec have said that 80% of security breaches could be prevented by using MFA
- The National Centre for Cyber Security (NCSC) in the UK recommend the use of MFA
- We at Bowe Digital use MFA in order to access Microsoft 365, Webroot, our RMM service and more
In conclusion, implementing MFA is definitely a step you should take in order to protect your business. The benefits of implementing MFA outweigh the drawbacks and it is an easy way to improve your security.
Contact us today for advice on how you can enforce MFA and protect your company.