Why Should You Opt for Multifactor Authentication with Duo?
Are you a company owner who is concerned about the accelerating rate of cybersecurity attacks? Perhaps you are even keeping an eye on real-time updates about cybersecurity attacks happening across the United States. Are you thinking about how to protect your company?
One of the strategies you could use is Multifactor Authentication (MFA). If you sigh or facepalm at this point—we’ve all heard complaints about MFA—please give us a chance! MFA isn’t a workflow disruption. In fact, Duo’s MFA is a seamless technology that can shield your company from unwanted access.
Keep reading to learn how it works and why it’s the best choice for your organization.
Multifactor Authentication Demystified
In a nutshell, multifactor authentication helps protect your data by requiring your employees to input two or more pieces of private information instead of just one password. We all know that people tend to use easy-to-remember passwords related to significant life events. Just remember the news on how Mark Zuckerberg’s social accounts were compromised because he used the same password, “dadada,” after becoming a father. In fact, security fatigue is becoming increasingly prevalent. With so many passwords to remember, it’s just easier to come up with a simple one for everything.
While people complain that MFA interrupts their workflows with those annoying requests to input a passcode sent to their mobile phones or emails, in reality, this second step is crucial for preventing unauthorized access. After all, this process means it’s not possible for hackers to manage to steal your employee’s password and get access to their email box or snitch away their mobile phone at the same time.
Passcodes sent to mobile phones or emails aren’t the only multi-authentication methods out there. One of the new golden standards in the industry is using a Time-Based One-Time Password (TOTP). Cutting-edge MFA apps generate these codes that last only 30 or 60 seconds. Only your employees’ physical devices have the codes. While text messages are susceptible to SIM swapping and email boxes can be hacked, it’s far more complicated to get access to Time-Based One-Time Passwords.
What Types of Cyberattacks Can MFA Protect Against?
MFA is effective against ransomware, malware, and phishing attacks. Malware is a program or software that infects a system to gain access to data or steal passwords. Ransomware is a type of attack that happens when cybercriminals steal a company’s data and demand payment in exchange for not selling it on the dark web. Phishing is when a program or individual pretends to be a legitimate company’s representative to gain access to valuable data.
Types of MFA Methods
Now that we’re on the same page about the MFA’s definition and applications, let’s take a closer look at the different types of MFA methods:
Knowledge-Based MFA
If you are looking for a solution that would not contribute to security fatigue, this one might not be the perfect one, even though it’s the least expensive. In addition to a password, this security method consists of requiring your employee to input memorized information, such as an answer to a security question or drawing a lock pattern.
Physical MFA
You might invest in physical things, such as tokens, fobs, and access control smartphone applications like Duo Push or FIDO 2 security keys that your employees would need to carry around to confirm their identities.
Inherent MFA Tools
This MFA method currently holds the gold medal for being the safest one. Fingerprint or iris scanners, as well as voice or facial recognition, are tough guards to deceive.
Location-Based MFA Tools
This tool evaluates the physical presence of your employee in the proper location or on the proper device.
What Industries Require MFA?
While any business would benefit from MFA, there are a number of fields where MFA is mandatory because of the large amounts of sensitive data that are stored and processed on a daily basis. If your company is part of the finance, healthcare, defense, law enforcement, or government sectors; MFA is a requirement that you should not neglect. Failing to stay compliant could have legal consequences, but don’t worry, Axigent Technologies Group is here to help with our security solutions!
Why Does Duo’s MFA Stand Out?
When searching for an MFA method, you want to choose the one that is recommended by the experts. At Axigent Technologies Group, we choose Duo’s MFA because it offers a range of authentication methods to fit any taste and budget preference. It is also flexible, versatile, easy to use, and reliable!
Supports a Range of Devices
Duo’s MFA supports a range of devices that include iOS phones and tablets, Android phones and tablets, cell phones and landlines, tokens, security keys, and touch IDs.
Easy to Use and Scalable
Duo’s MFA is a brilliant solution for growing businesses of any size because it allows them to seamlessly set up new employees and support new devices at any time, as well as protect new applications without impacting legacy technology.
While MFA isn’t a spring chicken, more and more businesses across the United States are realizing its importance and incorporating it into their daily workflows. Axigent Technologies Group is always here to keep a vigilant eye on your business’s cybersecurity. Your business is your fortress, so it’s paramount to make sure it’s well protected against cyber threats. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help!
