We hear about Multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere. Google, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Apple, Yahoo—all the big guys have it. Two-factor authentication solutions are an easy layer of protection that can be added immediately to improve your organization’s security structure. It is quickly joining firewalls, anti-virus, and anti-spam as the baseline security measures all businesses need to have. In fact according to the Global Password Security Report, in 2018, 45 percent of organizations are using two-factor authentication. This is a significant increase compared to 24 percent in 2017.

What is MFA and How Does it Work?

Multi-factor authentication, also known as two-step verification, is a security option that allows users to protect their logins by providing a second set of authentication keys to verify their identity aside from the regular login credentials such as username and password.

The second set of authentication keys can be one-time passcodes or magic links sent to email or mobile, app push, biometrics, or physical tokens such as flash drives. When you log into a two-factor enabled website or application, the second mechanism kicks in after you enter your normal passwords. This mechanism prompts you to enter required code or perform required action before completing your login. 

How to Set-up MFA for Your Business

Small businesses are highly targeted by hackers. Although the gains are not comparable to big companies, the security is similarly not very robust. Rather than just waiting to get attacked, it is better to take a proactive approach to your online security. Here’s how to set up 2FA for your business:

  • Identify which apps needed MFA. Businesses use dozens of enterprise apps on a daily basis. You can choose to secure only those which carry sensitive information that should be guarded against attackers. 
  • Identify people who need to use MFA. You can choose to utilize 2FA for all your employees or just select a few high-ranking staff members, such as the department heads or project managers.
  • Choose your second authentication option. Which deployment option do you like? Codes, links, or physical tokens like flash drives or small devices which generate one-time codes. 
  • Find a MFA solution that suits your needs. The cost is not the priority, choose a provider that offers easy setup and can respond to all your needs. 

Benefits of MFA for Business

Some major platforms connected to your business already provide 2FA for user accounts. Is a separate two-factor authentication solution really needed? Below are a few of the benefits two-factor authentication can give your company.

  • Additional security measures. Two-step verification functions as a second password. Even if your login credentials got into the wrong hands, they wouldn’t have access to the second authentication.
  • Flexible options. With a provider, you can easily customize based on your needs. Each second verification option has their merits and demerits. The most common option—codes or links sent to emails or mobile phones can be hacked via phishing. Physical tokens can also be lost or stolen, but they are a better choice if you are more wary of external threats.
  • Admin control. You can designate levels of access for your staff. You get more control on who gets permissions to which apps and how. For example, you can set it up so that anyone would need 2FA to access their work email from outside the office. 

You cannot count on 2FA for complete security, but it does give you that additional peace of mind that your passwords are not alone in defending your business online. Though absolute security is and will remain, an abstract, theoretical concept. Staying on top of the latest issues and solutions is essential in maintaining the highest security for your business.

Our Passwordless Multi-Factor Authentication

Try TraitWare, an adaptable security solution which combines multi-factor up to four-factor authentication with a unique passwordless and single sign-on solution. TraitWare uses a similar concept with physical tokens for its passwords and additional authentication keys. However, instead of flash drives or small devices which generate one-time passcodes, Traitware uses the biometrics of your mobile device to create unique keys for your logins. Because the biometrics of your mobile device constantly changes with every app usage, so does your passwords or authentication keys. 

TraitWare is easy to customize for all your business needs. It provides quick integration with a lightweight plug and play implementation. TraitWare also has a powerful admin interface to help you monitor your logins, manage app permissions and respond immediately to possible