SMB Cyber Alert: The Benefits Of MFA Security

Summary: This 3-minute article explains why multifactor authentication is the first line of protection in cyber security defense layers. Contact DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) or visit www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to schedule a cyber risk analysis and discuss innovative solutions to ensure your SMB has the best possible small business cyber security.

Passwords have long been the front line of protection against cyberattacks. However, as the IT world continues to evolve by leaps and bounds, so does the world of cybercrime. As a result, many layers of cyber security are required to protect our private data and even strong passwords are not enough.

What Is Two Factor Authentication?

Two Factor Authentication, or 2fa, security technology requires an additional layer of security to your password credentials by asking the user to respond to an SMS text or an email with other credentials or codes to prove they are the person who is authorized to log in. But, two factor authentication is only the beginning of expanded password security. Hackers have many tools to automate the guessing of passwords. The programs keep guessing various combinations of passwords and usernames until they find a match.

Multifactor Authentication Security

Two-factor authentication is no longer sufficient for password protection. Multifactor Authentication, or MFA, requires two or more authentication methods from different types of credentials to verify user identity. The types of other authenticating credentials are:

• Personal Knowledge – What you know can be as simple as another password.
• User Possession – Things like security tokens and bankcards are examples of things the user “has” as tools for confirming their identity. Also, users can opt to have “verification codes” sent by text messages to their mobile devices.
• Biometric Authentication – Biometric verifications include fingerprints, voice prints, face recognition and retinal scans.

The most valuable benefit of MFA is that if a hacker manages to breach one layer of your security (your password), even if he figures out your second layer of security, it is unlikely that the cyberthief will be able to breach a third identity verification factor.

What Are the Benefits of MFA?

Everyone has had to answer security questions to gain access to various platforms. This process is a versatile type of MFA in that the questions cover personal historical data such as “Where were you born?” or “Click the address you’ve lived at before.” The problem with security questions is that, for some, it is difficult to remember the answers to them. However, the pros in favor of MFA far exceed the cons:

Pros of Using MFAs

• It helps add cyber security defense layers to online platforms, software and hardware and other things that require heightened security.
• It is almost 100% more effective password protection than just using passwords.
• They can generate random authentication codes sent to your mobile devices.
• It is relatively easy to set up MFAs.
• SMBs can restrict access by factors such as time of day and location.
• MFAs for small to midsized businesses have scalable pricing, making it more affordable.

Case Study

A small, multi-office medical practice based in Queens, New York, had appropriate security for all of its medical and prescription platforms. They even started using 2FA for most of their work. However, the managing partner did not apply the same cyber security precautions for their administrative personnel. Several of the office staff only used passwords for logging into the system. The receptionists and other office staff opened the door to a crippling cyberattack by not employing MFA at the administrative level. Management did not realize that once a hacker gets past the credentials of a lower-level employee, they can use this neglectful omission to gain access to the rest of the system. In this instance, the data breach compromised confidential patient information. The damage control required to fix the issue and regain patient confidence in their medical privacy cost the practice thousands of dollars and hours of time. Company-wide use of MFA could have avoided this catastrophe.

DIGIGUARD’s Innovative Solutions For SMBs

As your SMB grows, expands its network and adds more platforms and devices, such as Bluetooth devices, smart controls, wireless access and remote access, your network vulnerability grows, too. MFA is just one layer of security of many required to protect your computer system. DIGIGUARD specializes in proactive cyber security and network security and has a wide array of solutions for home users and small to midsized businesses to defend against cyberattacks and other network data breaches. They are cyber security experts who can ensure your confidential personal, business and financial data have the best protection possible. Furthermore, they can help establish cyber security best practices and provide employee training so they do not inadvertently open your company to a cyberattack. That training will work in tandem with the rest of your cyber protections so that everyone knows what they must do to prevent a data breach and precisely what to do in the event of a cyberattack. DIGIGUARD’s services in cyber security are up-to-the-minute and cost-effective. They will enable SMB owners to concentrate on operating their businesses without fear of a data breach crippling their operations.

Contact DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-332-CYBER (833-332-9237) www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to discuss MFA protections and the best cyber protection for your home or SMB before you face a crippling cyberattack.