Multifactor Authentication: There’s No Cyber Security (Insurance) Without It
As a managed service provider, we have long advocated that companies implement multifactor authentication (MFA) as one of the single most impactful changes you can make to improve your cyber security. If you have been reluctant before now, here is yet another compelling reason to make the change to MFA for your organization.
If you are in the market for cyber insurance, be prepared to document your multifactor authentication (MFA) policies and procedures. That’s because insurance companies are starting to require MFA to issue cyber insurance policies.
In a recent flyer to its customers, Travelers Insurance, noted, “99.9 percent of account compromise attacks can be blocked by MFA. 94 percent of ransomware victims investigated did not use MFA!”
We know MFA can feel like a big change, but it will feel like second nature in no time. (Kind of like how your grandmother looked at her first smartphone like it was a spaceship and now she’s sharing TikToks with your teen over What’sApp.)
What Is Multifactor Authentication (MFA)?
Multi (as in more than one) and authentication (as in making sure you are you) are clear to most people. Factor is where people stumble. To offer the best security, the factors need to include:
- Something you know (e.g., a password or phrase)
- Something you have (e.g., security key or other token, smartphones only if they use #3)
- Something that can absolutely identify you (e.g., your fingerprint or retina scan)
In essence, MFA proves you have a right to sign into an account.
Though strong passwords are constantly being urged on the internet, a computer-generated password alone is not as effective as using MFA.
MFA Is an Additional Layer of Protection
MFA adds an additional layer of security, making it more difficult for cyber criminals to access a network. IDs and passwords are the weakest link in a business’s infrastructure and are often compromised and posted on the Dark Web.
“Passwords are growing more insecure as users connect to more systems that require a user ID and password; they tend to get lazy. They create simple easy-to-guess passwords, use the same password for different sites, share them and sometimes inadvertently give them to the attacker,” notes Travelers Insurance.
MFA is even more important now that many companies are allowing staff to work remotely and many personal devices are used to access business networks. Multifactor authentication can help reduce the potential for a network compromise caused by lost or stolen passwords. With MFA, even if cyber criminals get your login and password, it is highly unlikely they will be able to access your network, because they don’t have the other factor(s) required for authentication.
Not All User Access Is Equal, But MFA Protects Everyone
When it comes to protecting your network, not all access is equal. Some users only have access to their files while others are admins on the whole network. Make sure your system's users only have access to the areas they need and that your administrators both use stronger passwords and change them more frequently. And, of course, require multifactor authentication for all.
How to Set Up Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
In a nutshell, setting up MFA occurs in three steps:
- Set up: Log in to an account (such as online banking) and set up multifactor authentication (look under privacy settings or contact customer support if you can’t locate the setting). Set up your MFA as directed on the site.
- Prompt to verify: The next time you log in from a computer or device, you will be prompted to verify by entering a code. There are a few ways to get the code based on how your MFA is set up. You may need to open an app on your phone or read it from your token device.
- Enter verification (and remember): Enter the code and you’re good to go. There may be a checkbox or other option to “Remember This Device.” If you check it, you should not need to use MFA on that device again for a period of time (often 30 to 90 days). NEVER check this if you are on a public device or even using unprotected Wi-Fi.
Getting the Code: Multifactor Authentication Methods Can Vary
There are a few different ways you can receive the code you need to enter when MFA is enabled.
- MFA by app. If you have this choice, use it. It is absolutely the most secure option. This requires you to open an authenticator app on your phone to retrieve the code. You would have set up this app with your account when you enabled MFA.
- MFA by text. Slightly less secure than using an app but is more commonly available and therefore used by many. NOTE that an MFA text message will INCLUDE the code, not ask you to click a link to get it.
- MFA by push notification. The least secure MFA setup, but it is still better than not using any multifactor authentication at all.
- MFA by email or phone call. These options are no longer considered safe and you should not use either. Cyber criminals commonly trick people into providing access to their accounts by faking emails and phone calls.
MFA by app (or token) is by far the most secure form of multifactor authentication. But it isn’t available on every platform or site. If it isn’t an option, MFA by text or push notification is better than not using MFA at all. As more companies make MFA by app an option available, you should move away from the text and push methods on those platforms.
Choosing the best MFA for your company is sometimes difficult. If you need to talk it over with experts on the subject, contact us or book a meeting. We would be happy to help.
