What is Two-Factor Authentication?

Should My Company Use Two-Factor Authentication?

Are your endpoint devices adequately protected from cyber threats? With two-factor authentication, access your data knowing essential company information is safe from hackers.  

Network Security For Philadelphia Organizations

As more companies around the globe are considering switching all non-essential employees to remote work, business owners need to think about the benefits of two-factor authentication. On any given day, you need to consider how security breaches, internet fraud, and digital crime may affect sensitive company information and your bottom line. Most often, data security breaches are password-related and can be prevented with the right security measures in place. With the help of managed IT services, you can protect your business network from common threats and rest easy in knowing that endpoint devices are appropriately protected for workers who now telecommute. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

For most people, a password is required to log into their phone, personal computer, tablet, and work computer. Two-factor authentication adds security steps before a user can access a device. This extra level of security makes it much more difficult for cyber threats to access endpoint devices and your company’s network. With two-factor authentication, users are required to enter their username and password first to pace the initial security point. Then a second authentication step is required before they have full access to the system.

This second authentication step can be something as simple as a PIN, a randomized authentication code, or something more advanced like a biometric authentication—which includes facial, fingerprint, and retinal scans. While nothing is 100 percent secure, this is the most efficient way for personal and corporate network users to protect their most valuable information.

Does My Business Need Two-Factor Authentication?

Most likely, yes. If you have any employees who work remotely or more than just a handful of clients and team members, you should be protecting vital company information with two-factor authentication. It can seem like a hassle to switch over to an additional security measure at first. Still, without two-factor authentication, you could be leaving your business vulnerable to cybercriminals who can easily access your bank accounts, personal information, client information, credit card accounts, and more.

An essential first step in the two-factor authentication process includes using complicated and unique passwords for each user in your network. A skilled hacker can crack even the most complicated passwords, so it’s essential to make sure that passwords are changed often and never used for more than one device. From there, the second authentication method will provide an additional layer of protection from hackers. For example, you can choose to use a one-time code that is sent directly to a user’s email address or smartphone. However, if you feel like more complex authentication factors are necessary, you can require a fingerprint or facial scan to access sensitive information.

Other Essential Security Measures

• Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts.
• Require all passwords to be a minimum of 8 characters with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Never user words birthdates, phone numbers, or addresses that are unique to each user as part of your password. (These are all bits of information that can often be found with a quick internet search.)

Contact Menark Technologies

Are you interested in learning more about the many benefits of two-factor authentication for protecting your business? Give us a call at 1.866.339.0959 or contact us today for more information and be sure to schedule an initial consultation.