As of 2021, stolen passwords continue to be a pervasive issue that increases the threat of data breaches, and Verizon’s 2021 Data Breach Report showed that 61% of breaches were the result of stolen credentials. Even if you create complex and unique passwords, the risk can come from a breach at a service that stores your information. Even big-name tech accounts like Google and Apple get breached.
So how do you protect against that?
With multifactor authentication, your data is protected not only by passwords, but by additional authentication frameworks (such as one-time passwords) that make it harder for cybercriminals to access your system.
Multifactor authentication (MFA), which typically involves two factors, is used to authenticate an identity. Common methods used in MFA include username and password, hardware or software token-based authentication, single-use passwords, or biometrics. Basically, just one password is not enough, and that makes it much harder to hack your account.
Improving security is crucial in both personal and professional technology environments. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a simple and effective way to add protection where it’s needed most. When combined with effective user training, MFA can greatly reduce
Individuals should enable multi-factor authentication on accounts that support it. Most of the times they can access the account and enable the MFA themselves.
Organizations should apply obligatory MFA for all online accounts, including those of workers and anyone differently penetrating company data. A 2021 Microsoft study revealed that only 22 of Azure Active Directory leverages “strong” authentication. The same study advised that despite slow relinquishment rates, “the need to apply MFA relinquishment or go password less cannot be exaggerated.”
Those who have formerly enforced MFA across their associations can continue to strengthen authentication and authorization by exploring single sign- on (SSO), which allows users to use one set of credentials for multiple services. By exercising MFA for the SSO process, this enforces MFA challenges for any services penetrated by the account. Along with enforcing MFA and SSO, monitoring and waking for potentially compromised accounts, nonstop evaluation of programs and procedures, and regular training are important pieces of the identity protection frame.
By using MFA, organizations are in a much stronger position to help tried breaches and cover their most sensitive data. Wherever you’re in your MFA trip, your managed services provider (MSP) can help navigate you through the process and help you steadily support your overall cybersecurity posture.
