What is MFA? Multi Factor Authentication & 2FA

Want to learn about Multi-Factor Authentication advantages and the need for Multi-Factor Authentication? Read on to get started.

Gone are the days when simple static usernames and passwords seemed enough to access user accounts securely. However, when passwords are the only form of authentication—it increases the risks of data breaches and online attacks.

Weak and stolen passwords are the common ways hackers gain access to user and employee accounts to exploit data and network resources. Hence, it becomes mandatory to have a more robust and additional security layer.

Enters Multi-factor Authentication or MFA. MFA is an authentication process that provides user access after user verification through multiple authentication factors—improving security posture and reducing the risks of data breaches.

This article will learn more about MFA authentication, its need, and why you should use it for your organisation.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication?

Authentication is a process that demands proof of the user’s identity and assurance that they are who they claim they are.

MFA is a digital authentication process based on two or more user authentication factors. Thus, MFA requires users to provide identity proof from two or more authentication factors before granting access to the network assets or applications.

These factors include passwords, location, security questions, biometric data, tokens, etc. Hence, MFA replaces the standard single-factor authentication process—eliminating phishing attempts and brute force attacks.

Now, let’s see when and why you should use Multi-factor Authentication Security to secure your organisation’s network and assets.

When Should You Use Multi-factor Authentication?

Many organisations don’t have the right resources and available time to eliminate usernames and passwords for user authentication—making it necessary to implement additional ways to verify the user’s identity.

MFA adds roadblocks to block malicious and bad actors from accessing critical data and systems. Even if the hacker compromises passwords—it’s extremely unlikely and difficult to crack the second or third authentication factors.

Let’s learn more about the need for Multi-factor Authentication for your company.

Why use MFA for Your Organisation, and What are its Benefits?

Microsoft’s research suggests that MFA prevents 99.9% of attacks on users’ accounts. However, even a single compromised password makes it easy for hackers to disrupt the entire colonial pipeline.

Despite the organisation’s attempts and efforts to provide cybersecurity training to the employees—they may still fall for phishing attacks, scams, or share passwords with external entities out of convenience.

MFA prevents these risks with second or third authentication factors. Here are the Multi-factor authentication advantages for your organisation.

Increased security

Since MFA requires users to provide multiple identity proofs and credentials before accessing their respective accounts—it prevents hackers from misusing stolen passwords or user devices.

Thus, MFA adds an extra layer of security and protection—ensuring that cracked passwords won’t allow hackers to access the network assets and applications.

Complies with security regulations

MFA in security complies with multiple regulatory requirements. Several industries, organisations, and geographical regulations require MFA.

Some examples are HIPAA, Payments Service Directive 2 (PSD2), and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) require MFA to prevent unauthorised users from accessing payment processing systems.

Easy to set up and customisable

MFA is quite easy to set up and does not impact the network architecture even though it’s an additional security step from the user’s end, which may result in user friction—the overall user experience is quick, friendly, and easy to follow.

In addition, it’s also a customisable security solution that allows enterprises to customise each authentication factor from multiple different options to customise the user experience and meet their needs.

Seamlessly complements Zero Trust

Even though MFA is a powerful and strong security and authentication solution at the network entry-point—it does not guarantee complete protection from malware and cybersecurity attacks and threats.

Thus, when complemented with Zero Trust Security, MFA protects the entire network from internal attacks and threats by authenticating each user and device even when they’re inside the network.

Conclusion

There are numerous Multi-Factor Authentication advantages. Today, many organizations have a need for multi-factor authentication as it avoids identity and credentials thefts, reinforces your Zero Trust Setup, protects weak employee passwords, increases security, and enhances user experience.

Thus, if you’re looking for a secure MFA solution, check out our InstaSafe Zero Trust Security solutions to leverage Adaptive Multi-factor Authentication to validate a user’s identity through multiple customized authentication factors.