Why Two-Factor Authentication Is Essential to Protecting Your Business and Customers
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Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an important way for businesses to protect data, systems, devices and users.
By taking a few extra steps in the authentication of users and devices, businesses can assure that integral infrastructure is safe from cyberattacks and unauthorized use and access. As part of a
comprehensive managed IT solution, 2FA is a powerful safeguard.
How Does 2FA Work
2FA adds an additional layer to online activity on your network. It goes beyond entering a username and password to gain access to applications, systems and data.
It can take many forms. Common 2FA approaches include:
- A text message or email with a single-use, one-time password that expires quickly
- Using an authenticator app
- A push notification that requires confirmation on an authentication add
Typically, the possession information category is used as the second factor.
Importance of Cyber Security in the Workplace
Cyber security is essential for any business today. Reducing risks associated with accessing information ensures that everything that’s crucial to your company remains secure and accessed only by those who need access.
Authentication typically uses three different factors:
- Knowledge-based information, such as a username and password. This is information that the user knows
- Possession or unknown information, using an item the user possesses, such as a smartphone card or a security token sent to an app
- Inherence, which is something that is a part of the person, such as a fingerprint or other biometric data
2FA adds another type of authentication beyond the username/password process. It works by asking users to use a knowledge-based piece of information with a second factor.
Benefits of 2FA for Your Business (Internal Work)
For your business, there are
several benefits of using 2FA, including:
- Deterring Cybercrime. 2FA is a powerful cyberdefense. It makes it much harder for criminals to access information or devices. Even if bad actors gain access to a username and password, the additional authentication factor will prevent them from gaining access
- Internal Security. Given the increase in remote work, 2FA helps tighten access to internal systems. For remote workers, either at home or traveling, 2FA allows them to log in securely at all hours and from any location
- Fraud Reduction. With 2FA, businesses can lower the risks and costs of fraud, and the resultant costs due to the loss of credibility, reputation and brand trust
- Cost Reduction. Help desks often are dealing with password resets. Each such call can last 20 minutes and delay resolution of other requests. With 2FA, users can reset their passwords themselves, resulting in fewer calls and easy resolution for customers and employees alike.
Benefits of 2FA for Your Clients (External Work)
The benefits of 2FA are omnipresent, allowing for customers and clients to address issues quickly and with confidence that information is secure. Among the benefits of two factor authentication to clients:
- Convenience. Clients and customers can use 2FA to address various issues themselves quickly, such as the password reset noted above. In addition, customers can access and recover accounts quickly with a second factor, such as an SMS message or email that lets them recover a username
- Access Management. 2FA often allows businesses to track and monitor which devices are accessing, or trying to access, an account. These tools can restrict which devices, locations and networks can access system information. 2FA adds an additional safeguard and can alert clients and customers about suspicious access attempts
- Identity Protection. 2FA makes it harder to gain access to account information and other credentials. Doing so prevents criminals from identity theft and other hacks
At ConsultNet, we provide robust 2FA as part of our comprehensive cyber security services, including managing IT procurement, risk reduction, network and system monitoring, and software and hardware updating.
Contact us today to learn more about how ConsultNet can implement 2FA at your company to keep technology and people protected.
