Multi-Factor Authentication: A simple implementation with a significant impact

As detailed in the recent Phishing Activity Trends Report Q4 2022 by APWG, phishing attacks and data breaches remain at an all-time high.

This sustained threat has nullified the effectiveness of single-factor authentication and led to the rise in Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as a security measure, which is notably more challenging to exploit. MFA requires additional verification in the form of something you have, something you are and something you know to verify your identity when accessing your account.

Think of it like getting your money from an ATM. It’s your account. You have the bank card (something you have), but you also need something you know (your PIN) before you can access your account – two authentication factors.

In recent years, phishing attacks have evolved to become more effective. Threat actors across Europe, the Middle East and Africa are honing their phishing strategies to evade email filters, using genuine-looking domains and directing their victims to malicious links which capture account information.

To combat this, making the simple step to introduce MFA into your sign-in processes ensures that if an attacker was able to capture your login credentials, they still can’t access your account unless they can also capture your authenticator (something you have) and biometrics (something you are), minimising the damage they can cause.

Other Benefits Of MFA Include:

Simple implementation

Contrary to the misconception that MFA is complex and time-consuming, its implementation can be straightforward and user-friendly. If you’re a Microsoft 365 user, you probably already have access to MFA and one of our Technical Consultants will happily spend half an hour getting it set up for you, free of charge.

Variety of authentication factors

One of the significant advantages of MFA is the flexibility it offers in choosing authentication factors. You can select from a range of options that suit your preferences and the level of security required. These factors include a one-time password (OTP) sent via SMS or generated by an authentication app, fingerprint or facial recognition on mobile devices, security tokens, or even hardware keys. This versatility ensures that you can adopt MFA in a way that is convenient and accessible.

Seamless user experience

Contrary to concerns that MFA may hinder your users’ experience, it can streamline the login process. Many MFA systems offer features like remembering devices or trusted locations, where users can bypass the secondary authentication step when using a recognised device or accessing the account from a trusted location. This ensures that MFA does not obstruct your users to the user while still providing the necessary security measures.

To help you take the first steps to more robust security. Nviron is offering a free 20-minute session with one of our Technical Consultants, helping you grasp your key challenges and establish a roadmap to secure your IT.

At Nviron, we are strong advocates of ethical IT. Our focus lies in enabling you to proactively overcome IT challenges rather than helping you react to something which has gone wrong. To book your free discussion, please CLICK HERE to speak to one of our specialists. Alternatively, existing customers can contact their designated Account Manager. Please note that sessions are limited to one per customer.