Most of us have heard the acronym MFA and understand that having multi-factor authentication is a tool to help keep our digital devices safe but what really is it and what are the benefits?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security measure that requires you to provide multiple forms of identification before being granted access to a system or application.

This added layer of security provides numerous benefits for businesses, including increased protection against cyber-attacks, reduced risk of data breaches, and improved compliance with industry regulations.

The benefits of MFA

One of the primary benefits of MFA is it significantly enhances the security of a system or application by requiring various types of ID. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain unauthorised access, as they would need to have access to multiple forms of your identification.

For example, Microsoft are currently upgrading their Multi-Factor Authentication to improve sign in security even further.

They have implemented a feature called number matching which requires you to match a number on both your computer and your phone.

When completing an authentication request you will be required to enter a two-digit code on your phone that is displayed on your computer as shown in the below example:

This is to ensure the user is at both their phone and computer which helps further reduce fraudulent logins.

Number matching will replace the current MFA notification of being asked to click ‘yes/no’ on your phone to further reduce the risk of data breaches.

Data breaches can be incredibly costly for your business, both in terms of financial losses and damage to the company’s reputation.

MFA can help prevent data breaches by making it much more difficult for unauthorised users to gain access to sensitive information.

Meeting compliance requirements

Many industries have specific regulations in place that require businesses to implement certain security measures to protect sensitive information.

MFA can be an effective way to meet these requirements, as it provides an additional layer of security beyond traditional passwords.

Implementing MFA is a smart move for any business looking to improve its cyber security posture and protect sensitive information.

• To discuss the best security tools for your business contact Jonathan McHarg on [email protected]