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A Guide to Two-Factor Authentication (2021 Insights)
A Guide to Two-Factor Authentication (What Is It, How Does It Work, And Why You Need It)
SemTech IT Solutions has been serving the business community throughout Orlando and Central Florida since 1984. We offer specialized IT support, services, and products designed to help businesses of all types and sizes succeed in an ever-evolving marketplace. Since we’ve been around so long, we’ve seen the world of cybercrime evolve – and we’ve answered a lot of questions from concerned business owners along the way.
The truth is, cybercrime has had a profound impact on ALL of our lives over the past few years. Cybercrime has developed at an incredible rate, with hackers using corporate computer networks to infiltrate, gain trust, and steal sensitive information for financial gain. Nowadays, a password alone isn’t enough to protect your accounts. But if you’re here, reading this, you already know that.
What is two-factor authentication?
Let’s dive right into the reason you’re here, reading this, right now. Two-factor authentication is a security measure we’ve been asked about time and time again. Why? Because businesses are well aware that employees are their biggest line of defense. If your employees have weak passwords or accounts, they’re leaving a major vulnerability open for cybercriminals to exploit. Two-factor authentication is one of our go-to solutions to prevent this sort of incident from occurring.
Two-factor authentication refers to the process of adding a layer of security to your online accounts. Basically, you have a password, which is presumably strong, alongside an additional piece of authentication or “proof” to prove your identity. This is typically a PIN or code sent to your mobile devices. However, some two-factor authentication solutions require a biometric form of access, such as a retina scan or fingerprint.
How does two-factor authentication work?
If you’re worried about whether your employees are following proper password best practices, two-factor authentication can eliminate this concern because they will require a second form of identity verification. This will be:
- Something they know like a PIN code sent via email or text, or
- Something they have like a physical key or biometric form of access
This makes it much more difficult for hackers to spoof compared to a password alone. Even strong passwords can be spoofed, especially as cybercriminals continue to become more sophisticated and coordinated in their efforts.
Where can two-factor authentication be used?
Many online services are starting to offer two-factor authentication, including the following popular platforms:
- Most online banking services
- Apple ID
- And more
If two-factor authentication isn’t available, you can use an alternative, third-party options, such as Authy, Yubico, or Duo. You can also reach out to us for an enterprise-grade option that will offer a higher security level for your end-users.
Where can I learn more about two-factor authentication?
If you missed it, take a look at our latest video, all about two-factor authentication: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heaqb72kotQ&feature=emb_title. You can also reach out to us…
- Book a meeting with our team of cybersecurity experts
- Find out which two-factor authentication solution is right for you.
- Enjoy peace of mind knowing your sensitive data is safe.
