There are more online accounts per person than ever before, and all of those different accounts translate to more instances for the account to be compromise, or hacked. Regardless if the accounts are personal, they are still a potential risk to your organization due to what is commonly referred to as “password recycling”. This issue comes from the ever-known debacle of your typical user being faced with creating many separate, unique and complex passwords for the great amount of online accounts they may have in a lifetime. A recent survey found that 15% of people generating their own password used pets’ names, 14% use a family member’s name, and 13% pick a notable date. And 6% of people are still using “password” as all – or a part – of their password. In other words, each and every online account should be treated as a threat to IT administrators trying to create the safest work environment.
So what’s the solution? In addition to having a separate, unique, secure password for each account, companies can deploy Two-Factor Authentication or 2FA. 2FA adds a second factor to the login process for companies with many different types of resources. Consider this metaphor in order to better understand Two-Factor Authentication… Picture yourself travelling through an unfamiliar area. Your hotel room has a regular door knob lock. The room next door has two locks, a knob lock and a deadbolt, both requiring different keys. The room next door is obviously safer because of the two keys needed to access it.
2FA is a security feature that requires users to present two forms of verification, or two keys, when logging in to an account. Your verification can fall into any three of the following categories:
You would need to provide two forms of verification to access the account. For example, you might have to enter your password on the website when you try to log in and then type in a code that was texted to your phone. Both steps create added security, like double locks on the hotel door.
2FA greatly decreases the risk of compromise in an online attack. To learn more about Two-Factor Authentication and how to increase your company’s online security contact Datotel today.