Cybersecurity challenges are compounding, and businesses need to secure their information systems to ensure there are adequate security measures in place for managing user-level data security.
While cybersecurity solutions are among the prominent solutions for overall cybersecurity practices, the other aspect of the cybersecurity issue is the user-level security access, wherein multi factor authentication (MFA) and two factor authentication (2FA) kind of systems are becoming prominent.
Focusing on Identity and Access Management (IAM) is very important to sustain the user-level access credentials for the systems and applications.
In the cyber protection process of the IAM, multi factor authentication or the two factor authentication process has a pivotal role.
Considering the volume of social engineering attacks and phishing attacks which relies highly on user credentials snooping, businesses must embrace the two factor authentication systems for their business solutions and improve the overall process of security for the user data.
Multi Factor Authentication
Authentication into the information systems in the conventional approach is about using the login credentials (username and password) based access controls to the systems.
However, the scope and vulnerability of security breaches in such single authentication factors are heavy.
Any lapse or ignorance from the user’s end in managing the authentication credentials can lead to major challenges of a data breach.
Thus, the scope of two factor authentication and multi factor authentication models is introduced.
Two Factor Authentication
Two factor authentication is a process wherein there are two distinct stages of authorization taking place for the users to access e-business solutions.
While the first authentication stage is the general user-id and password setup, in the second stage of the authentication process, there are other types of temporary passcodes generated.
There are multiple ways in which the authentication process works like the usage of biometric, or face recognition systems, and TOTP passwords which are temporary passwords generated using an application and are valid only for 30 seconds.
The other type of 2FA or two factor authentication process is the usage of the one-time password option called OTP.
Related: How to Set Up Two-factor Authentication in cPanel
Many of the new-age applications rely on image processing, previous transaction record verification model, or the random selection of questions for providing access to the applications.
In the case of the multi factor authentication models, the scope of access is optional to any two authentication factors or towards randomization of the authentication process.
Using more than one option for the second-level user authentication process leads to a multi factor authentication approach in the business.
However, in the case of handling the multi factor authentication process or the 2FA process, some operational practices are important and need to be integral to handling the authentication process.
Elements like choosing the proper kind of second-factor authentication systems should be a strategic approach, wherein alongside the security factor, the ease of use to the customers for following the 2FA is important.
In an illustrative scenario, when a business application sets its second factor of authentication in 2FA as biometric alone, and in the web access of the system, using the biometric authentication factor could be complex.
Thus, there is a need for businesses to ensure appropriate kind of multi factor authentication models are initiated, which can help in securing access to the information systems.
Some of the key benefits integral to managing the 2FA process are
1. Reduced risks of IAM
In addition to first-factor authentication, managing two factor authentication using the dynamic systems of passcode like the biometric or the temporary passcode or other options like the questions and answers, etc. the risks of third party dealing with such authorization process are rare instances.
Though the first-factor authentication data might be breached by hackers, getting access to the second authentication factor in the 2FA systems is tough.
This essentially reduces the risk of identity and access management controls to an extent, in comparison to the conventional options.
Learn more about Identity and Access Management Risk Assessment
2. Anomaly Detection
The other key benefit of using the two-factor or multi factor authentication process is the anomaly detection process.
Any differences observed to the usual practices of the users like the different devices used for the login, or the unusual geo location used for the process of accessing the application systems could be alarmed by the systems and the admin teams can initiate the standard procedures to inspect the process.
3. Alternate Access Methods
The digital transformation of businesses has led to users are relying on smart devices for accessing mobile and web applications.
In such instances, rather than offering password authentication for each login attempt, a one-time account login, followed by the usage of the biometric or face recognition options for the access to the applications can help in reducing the time required for the logging into the systems.
Though the first-factor authentication is accessed once, the access the 2FA requires that users provide biometrics or other options like the TOTP or face recognition.
This reduces the risk of third parties or unauthorized parties accessing the mobile applications.
Such a process can help in improving cybersecurity using the 2FA process or multi factor authentication methods.
Additionally – be it at the business side and the user’s end, it is important to consider the implementation of the two factor authentication process effectively.
Prevention is better than cure and working on the two factor authentication process or multi factor authentication process is like using the preventive approaches useful for mitigating the risks.
With the increasing demand for cloud applications, and millions of users relying on access-on-the-go features of cloud applications, the role of 2FA has become an integral need.
If the legacy applications do not have the scope of 2FA or multi factor authentication, one can rely on third-party cybersecurity solutions like Acronis Cyber-Protect for managing the device-level two factor authentication security.
Either by having the applications integrated 2FA or by using the Acronis Cyber-Protect options, one should consider the application of multi factor authentication to their user credentials.
Exabytes Singapore too relies on two factor authentication for its users to log in for availing of the services.
Reach out for more information on 2FA, from the tech support team at Exabytes Singapore and implement two factor authentication for your business systems.
