What You Need to Know about Two-Factor Authentication

There are hackers out there whose sole purpose is to infiltrate businesses and pilfer data, money, and the trust people have in their technology. One method to help keep your things secure is by relying on two-factor authentication. Let's take a closer look at 2FA below.

Two-factor authentication (sometimes called multi-factor authentication) is the practice of expanding on the protection that is attained by using a password. When a person logs in with their password a two-factor authentication platform requires a separate code - usually generated by an authentication app or a text message or email to an assigned number/email address - to gain access to whatever is secured. 2FA is becoming standard on most online-based platforms now. All factors accounted for, it does help amp up security, but can 2FA be more trouble than it’s worth? 

With many software developers now incorporating two-factor authentication into their applications, it has become standard to have the option regardless of the software you are using. Some of the best times to roll out two-factor authentication are when you have sensitive, personal, or proprietary information to secure. While there are cracks in the foundation of this method of access control, many businesses require that their staff sign into email or line of business apps using a 2FA system. 

In the business setting, it makes sense to utilize this strategy. While it may be irritating for your staff, the benefits, if only for organizational piece of mind, are worth the reward. Individuals, on the other hand, don’t usually require the end-to-end security that a business needs. Those that do employ some degree of additional security beyond passwords don’t always find it to be helpful. There is also the small matter to discuss that suggests a 2FA platform doesn’t even work.

Wait, 2FA Doesn’t Work?

Studies that have been corroborated by industry professionals show that two-factor authentication is just like any other currently-used, non-biometric security standard: about to be antiquated. Modern hackers are creating phishing websites that look just like the corresponding site on a web services website that states that their account information is about to go bad. The fooled party enters the information needed and now the hackers have the password, the one-off authentication code and complete access to the system. 

This may be a troubling trend, but rest assured, it is typical of every security strategy that has come up. The predominance of hacking makes all efforts seem insecure. Not long ago you had to have a near-random passphrase, before that you needed to use a password manager, before that you needed to have a complex password of at least 12 digits that included capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. That’s not to say that 2FA doesn’t work. It absolutely does. Just be mindful that relying too much on one part of your access control strategy will likely result in data breach, headache, and frustration. 

2F-Awesome Situations to Use 2FA

Two-factor authentication may not be the be-all, end-all to your security needs, but it is still better than nothing. Here are a few situations where you certainly want to utilize 2FA:

• Remote access to corporate networks - With businesses using a more mobile workforce, securing remote endpoints makes a lot of sense. 
• Ecommerce - Using 2FA is a good practice anytime you require people to submit or view sensitive or financial information.
• Cloud services - Shared computing resources in the cloud should be secured to their max.
• Password recovery - People lose their passwords all the time. Getting a new one should be a very secure process. 
• Communication platforms - If protecting your identity is imperative, locking down accounts on social media, email, and other communication applications with 2FA will add an extra layer of security.

Two-factor authentication can be a mixed bag. Some people swear by it, some people won’t. If your business wants to do what it can to secure its digital assets, it can do a lot worse than using 2FA. Call the IT experts at Macro Systems today to have a conversation about how to properly roll out your 2FA platform at 703-359-9211.