What's Multifactor Authentication?

Multifactor authentication isn't a new technology, but it's importance in the cybersecurity space has been growing exponentially in recent months. But what is multifactor authentication (AKA MFA), and why should organizations implement it?

MFA is an identity reassurance mechanism. It helps to ensure that you are the person who is trying to access your account, not some stranger sitting behind some random laptop. When you couple MFA with your username and password, it protects your organization from unauthorized access better than just a password would. It's one extra step to prove it's really "you" accessing systems, documents, or other important assets.

You might be familiar with MFAs close relative, 2FA or two-factor authentication. The main difference between the two? 2FA only requires two sets of verification, where MFA can require two or more.

"In Gartner’s recent market guide to user authentication, they report that by 2023, 60% of large and global enterprises and 80% of small and mid-sized organizations will deploy MFA capabilities to secure their organizations accounts." - Expert Insights

There are several kinds of multifactor authentication methods. The options typically revolve around the concept of "something you have, something you know, or something you are." Like, an SMS to your phone, a password, and face or finger print recognition. When you couple these things together as a requirement, it helps ensure that if a cheat, creep or thieve gained access to your password, they still wouldn't be able to gain access to your information without having another form of verification.

As organizations both large and small are targets of cyber crime in many forms, MFA is a great way to combat the many and diverse attacks at a successful infiltration. In recent months, we have even seen in many cases that some cybersecurity insurance now requires an organization to have MFA in their environment in order to keep their policies active. So now, besides the fact that multifactor authentication is a critical component of a cybersecurity stack, it's even mandated in some instances.

While nothing in the cyber world is guaranteed, this is a great measure to put in place to help secure your organization from ransom and downtime.

Twinstate Technologies is highly recommending that organizations of all sizes take advantage of MFA solutions to harden their cybersecurity posture. If you are interested in learning more, chat us, email us at hello@twinstate.com or call us at 800.833.8000.