Tag Archives: #Multi-Factor

Why Do I Need Multi-Factor Authentication for My Cloud Services?

Security, , ,
Employee holding a smartphone while entering a multi-factor authentication code for his personal data.

Incorporating multi-factor authentication into your cloud services.

In the modern world, getting hacked and/or having your credentials stolen from a once-trusted service is like catching a cold. It may not happen to everyone every year, but it’s pretty darn common, and the environment moves too fast for anything to be guaranteed 100% hacker-proof. When it comes to user accounts, employee accountability, and keeping your proprietary data secure is worth the effort – especially when that effort is fairly quick, easy, and familiar for all users.

Multi-Factor and the Cloud

Multi-factor authentication is the padlock on the locked shed of your user and data security. Hackers buy and sell stolen login credentials and specialize in new ways to steal them. A password is only so secure, and even live anomaly detection systems are not perfect. The importance of security only increases as we move to the cloud – where data is available to any authorized user at any time – as part of the core principles of cloud service. Two-factor authentication takes that security one step further (or more) in ensuring that the real authorized human is on the other end of every login.

If you don’t have it now, you need to have these services on your business applications and systems to prevent your business from being the next cybersecurity breach in the news.

Office 365

If your team uses Office 365, you use your Microsoft password and login for everything which means being compromised just once can give access to all your work logins at once. This is one of the primary sources of internal wire fraud attacks.  A lot of time it occurs in this manner where once they have access to your email they email other employees requesting gift cards or to do a wire transfer.

Multi-factor, however, prevents hackers from being able to take the final step just to login. The need to have both the stolen login credentials and the victim’s personal phone at the same time makes this prospect nearly impossible -which is why there are scams where hackers will ask you to relay your multi-factor codes. Don’t do that.

VPN Connections

VPNs are Virtual Private Networks. If your business works with a VPN, then you have opened an internal network space so it is available for remote employees through a VPN login. If one internal user’s login is compromised, the entire virtual network and all your internal file systems may be put at risk.

Multi-factor authentication, however, requires that a live human in the company receive a text every time an account tries to log in. If it is their account and they weren’t trying to access the system, this throws an immediate red flag. Not only is the hacker unable to get past the login stage of their planned intrusion, but they might be more profoundly caught.

You can also use each un-initiated multi-factor text message as a trigger to change passwords company-wide, invalidating all previously stolen credentials on the spot.

Multi-Factor is a Modern Necessity Made Easy

Today, we need more than passwords to secure every account, and multi-factor authentication is a quick, easy solution to an ongoing challenge.

Whether it be office 365, VPN connections, or other cloud-based software, having multi-factor authentication prevents thieves from accessing your data because they are not going to have your cell phone. When you have your wallet stolen, you cancel credit cards to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. Your phone is the modern wallet and today, you or a business can remotely wipe your phone if it is lost or stolen to keep your data from falling into the wrong hands.   Today, a person’s phone is the last key to gaining access to company data through multi-factor authentication.

Are you ready to incorporate multi-factor authentication into your cloud services? Are you ready to help your employees and infrastructure evolve beyond password security? So are we.

If you have not already implemented MFA on your line of business (LOB) software, give us a call and we can assist you in navigating these waters to protect your business.  Contact us here so we can review your current policies and look at ways to tighten your security so you’re not the next business target that we read about in the news.

Why MFA is Important for Your Company’s Cybersecurity

Security, ,
Employee activating a multi-factor authentication using a mobile phone and a laptop.

Securing your information systems against cybercriminals.

It’s becoming increasingly challenging for individuals and businesses to secure their information systems against cybercriminals. Hackers are always trying to find ways of breaking into your data systems, and mere passwords may not be sufficient deterrence. To enhance your data security, there’s a need to add an extra layer of security, and this is where multi-factor authentication (MFA) comes into the picture.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?

Also referred to as 2-Factor Authentication (2FA), multi-factor authentication is a security system combining more than two forms of authentication to improve account security. With the MFA in place, credentials won’t be enough to allow access to your accounts.

When you activate the MFA on your device, account or website, the server will automatically require a second independent form of authentication to log you in successfully. Without this additional authentication, you won’t be able to access your account, website or device.

Importance of MFA on VPN connections to the office

VPNs provide a safe and secure environment for remote access to your internal on-premise applications, but they aren’t a silver bullet. If you’re providing users with just a password and username to access your VPN connections, you’re not completely immune to data breaches because those credentials can be stolen.

Here are reasons you need to activate MFA on your VPN connection:

  • Protection against credential theft: The MFA provides an additional layer of security when accessing your accounts, data and websites.
  • Provides visibility into all devices on the network: MFA sends authentication requirements to devices, so you can tell which devices are connected to the network.
  • Secure access to on-premises and cloud applications: With the MFA on, login credentials in the wrong hands won’t do much harm.
  • Help enforce granular access security policies: It’s a way of enforcing security policies – just ensure every user has MFA activated on their endpoints.
  • Achieve regulatory compliance: It’s a requirement to meet data security policies.
Importance of MFA on Office 365 logins

Hackers often fish for any loopholes to exploit and gain access to your data, and one potential place to find a loophole is your Office 365 account. Thankfully, Microsoft realized they needed to secure their Office 365 client accounts back in 2014, and made a provision for adding the MFA.

Here are some important benefits of adding MFA:

  • Increase security of user logins: When you activate the MFA, you’ll be required to acknowledge a phone call or text, message, or an app notification on your smartphone, so you can access Office 365 services. This means you won’t have to worry about your logins falling into the wrong hands, and someone using them to access your account. You will receive a notification when they attempt to log in, and know it’s time to change your logins.
  • Prevents phishing attacks: MFA helps you to know you’re logging into Office 365, and not a replica site designed to steal your sensitive data. If inputting your credentials doesn’t trigger a second authentication activity, then you know you’re about to fall victim to a phishing attempt.
  • Keeps track of all login activity: Multi-factor authentication can also help you keep track of all logins, so you can review them periodically to see if there’s abnormal activity. A notification of a failed login should be the first red flag you should look for when you’re ascertaining the security of your Office 365 account.

MFA is no longer a luxury today when cybercriminals are hell-bent on compromising your information systems and causing data breaches. A data breach can be a costly affair, requiring you to spend thousands of dollars to restore your systems. Be sure to set up MFA on all your accounts and VPNs to have an additional layer of security. At SystemsNet, we can help you implement MFA on your accounts and keep your data safe. Contact us today to handle all the installations.