Multi-Factor Authentication: The Front-Line of Your Cyber Security

Author: Tomos Charles

In today’s digital landscape where cyber criminals and threats are at their largest and data breaches are unfortunately becoming more and more common by the day. Keeping your accounts, data and sensitive information has become more crucial than ever. One powerful tool to help you ensure you keep your data and business safe is using Multi-factor authentication or MFA for short. MFA has become a cornerstone for organisations in fortifying their defence against unauthorised access and ensuring your data doesn’t go to malicious external threats.

What is Multi-factor authentication?

Multi-factor authentication as the name suggests, involves the use of multiple factors to verify the identity of a user attempting to access a system or an account. These factors typically fall into one of three categories. These categories being:

  1. Knowledge, such as a password or PIN.
  2. Possession, such as a badge or smartphone.
  3. Inherence, such as biometrics (Fingerprint, retinal scan) or voice recognition.

By combining two or more of these factors, MFA significantly enhances your business’s security compared to relying solely on passwords, which can be easily compromised through methods like phishing, brute-force attacks, or password reuse.

Other types of MFA include.

  1. Location-based. This looks at the user’s IP address and if possible, their geo location. This information can be used to verify the identity of the user and also can block people whose information does not match.
  2. Adaptive. This analyses additional factors by considering context and behaviour when authenticating and assigns a level of risk to the login attempt. The level of risk will be calculated and will be used to determine whether or not the user will be prompted for additional authentication. Examples of these risks are:
    • Where is this user trying to access the information
    • What time you’re trying to access company information? Are you “off hours”?
    • Is the connection via a private network or are you on a public network?
    • What device is being used and have you used it before?

How does MFA work?

MFA’s implementation can vary depending on the system or service it’s being used on however the general principle remains the same. Before granting access, the system requires the user to provide multiple forms of authentication.

For example, when logging into your online banking account you may be asked for your username and password (Knowledge). Then, the system may send a unique one-time code to the user’s mobile phone (possession). Finally, the user will then be prompted to have their face scanned to get access to their mobile banking account. Only after completing all of these steps would the user be able to gain access to their account.

Benefits of Multi-factor Authentication.

  1. Enhanced security: MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access by adding additional layers of verification beyond just passwords, This makes it much harder for attackers or threats to beach accounts or systems.
  2. Protection against Phishing: Since MFA requires factors beyond just passwords, it helps mitigate the effectiveness of phishing attacks, where cybercriminals attempt to trick users into revealing their login credentials.
  3. Compliance requirements: Many workplaces, regulatory frameworks and industry standards mandate the use of MFA as a part of data protection and cybersecurity measures, ensuring organisations remain compliant with legal requirements.
  4. User convenience: While MFA adds an extra step to the authentication process, advancements in technology have made it more seamless and user-friendly, particularly with the widespread adoption of smartphones and biometric authentication methods.

Implementing multi-factor authentication

There are various methods to implement MFA, depending on the level of security required and the resources available:

  1. SMS or Email Codes: Users receive a one-time code via SMS or email that they must enter along with their password for authentication.
  2. Authentication Apps: Mobile applications, such as Google Authenticator or Authy, generate time-based codes for users to enter during the login process.
  3. Biometric Authentication: Utilizing unique biological features like fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice recognition for authentication.
  4. Hardware Tokens: Physical devices, like USB tokens or smart cards, generate codes or provide access when connected to the user’s device.

Conclusion

In a world where cyber threats are ever-evolving, organizations must prioritize robust security measures. multi-factor authentication stands as a frontline defence, offering a practical and effective solution to mitigate the risks associated with unauthorized access. By implementing MFA, businesses can enhance security, protect sensitive information, and stay one step ahead of potential cyber threats in the digital landscape.