Factor in More Than Just the Keys to the Castle 

Nowadays, a password – no matter how formidable – just isn’t enough to protect the throne. With all the critical information we store online, Two-Factor Authentication adds an important security step to help your devices confirm that the person trying to log in is, well, you.

Find Safety in Something You Know, Something You Have, Something You Are

Passwords have become the keys to your kingdom, so you know it’s important to make them strong to prevent unauthorized access to your information. But even a strong password can be broken by a diligent cyberattacker, or the service itself might experience a breach. In either scenario, your password becomes next to useless – unless you have another layer of protection in place.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), a subset of Multi-Factor Authentication, requires an additional step to prove your identity. 2FA creates a more secure authentication scheme by combining two of the primary authentication methods:

  • Something you know, typically a password.
  • Something you have, usually a code generated by a smartphone or security token.
  • Something you are, often a fingerprint or other biometric.

A common method is a code generated by a smartphone app. After you enter your password, you’ll be prompted for your 2FA code from the app, which refreshes regularly. Some services send codes via SMS rather than an app, which is less secure but still better than no 2FA at all.

Getting Started with 2FA

2FA is a no-brainer for security: it’s simple, quick, and free to set up on most services, including email, cloud services, and social media. As a cybersecurity provider, your first step is using 2FA internally to secure your accounts, particularly any that access your critical company and customer data.

Then, talk to your customers about 2FA and help them set it up on their services. Some services allow you as the administrator to enforce 2FA as a policy, requiring employees to set it up upon login.

Keep in mind you may need to talk customers through setting up and using 2FA, as the nature of the system means that individual employees need to participate themselves. Encourage them to remember that it’s an important part of a strong security posture, and that any small inconvenience is well worth it to protect key accounts.

The New Normal

2FA is a standard feature in most business applications, typically found in the account settings or privacy menus: simply toggle 2FA on and follow the prompts. TurnOn2FA is a great resource for you and your customers with instructions for finding and setting up 2FA on many common services.

When vetting new vendors, do your homework to confirm that they support 2FA. If not, it may indicate that they don’t share your security-first mindset, and you might want to consider other vendors. And don’t hesitate to share your feedback with companies who don’t support 2FA – it’s a feature request they should prioritize and the more companies who participate, the better.

Stay Safe,

Your Friends @ Defendify

Resources & insights

Why You Could Be Denied Cyberattack Insurance Coverage
Blog
Why You Could Be Denied Cyberattack Insurance Coverage
As you’re working toward achieving robust cybersecurity, the subject of cyber attack insurance coverage and cybersecurity insurance requirements is sure to enter the discussion.
Cost of a Cyberattack vs. Cybersecurity Investment
Blog
Cost of a Cyberattack vs. Cybersecurity Investment 
Detailing the cost of a cyberattack versus the ROI of a cybersecurity investment enables leadership to see cybersecurity solutions are worth it.
Defendify Listed as a High Performer in Six G2 Grid Categories
Blog
Defendify Listed as a High Performer in Six G2 Grid Categories
The Defendify Cybersecurity Platform has been listed as a High Performer in six Summer 2022 Data Security Software Category Reports on the technology review site G2.

Protect and defend with multiple layers of cybersecurity

Defend your business with All-In-One Cybersecurity®.

Explore layered
security

Learn more about Defendify’s three key layers and All-In-One Cybersecurity®.

How can we help?

Schedule time to talk to a cybersecurity expert to discuss your needs.

See how it works

See how Defendify’s platform, modules, and expertise work to improve security posture.

Take the first step toward comprehensive cybersecurity with a free Defendify Essentials package

Gain access to 3 award-winning cybersecurity modules. Nothing to install. Nothing to pay for.