In the present day, all businesses ought to be doing their utmost to optimise their resistance to security threats. One powerful tool that you can use to protect sensitive information is multi factor authentication.
What is multi factor authentication?
The clue is in the name. Multi factor authentication is a type of authentication procedure which requires anyone who wants to gain access to certain aspects of your business to provide multiple types of information. One good example of multi factor authentication is when you want to access an ATM. Here, you need to provide several types of information: namely, your debit card and your PIN. Types of information that can be demanded by a multi factor authentication system include (but are not solely limited to):
- Passwords
- Swipe cards or key cards
- Proof that you are a human being (e.g. CAPTCHA codes)
- Biometric data: retinal scans, finger prints, voice evidence for voice recognition technology, and so on
- Proof of personal knowledge about yourself (e.g. your date of birth or favourite colour)
- Additional authorisation by another member of the company (e.g. your boss)
- A physical item such as a USB stick
- Proof of your position within the company, such as an employee number
Where can multi factor authentication be applied in my business?
Your security system is only as strong as its weakest link, so it is a good idea to review both your physical security systems (e.g. doors between offices and keys to filing cabinets) and your IT infrastructure. Here are a few suggestions of locations where implementing multi factor authentication could be a good idea:
- Doorways leading to offices containing sensitive files. Consider using a swipe card in combination with a code, or biometric data in combination with a card or code.
- Intranet systems, whether accessed on or off-site. Consider combining passwords with secret questions and biometric data.
- Access to highly sensitive information stored digitally. Consider adding yet another layer of protection for this, which might include time-limited approval from a senior manager, or further passwords.
In this way, third parties who attempt to gain access either to the actual physical building of your office or to its digital systems will find that this is much harder than they wish it to be.
Strengthen your business’s defences quickly
Though these systems can be very sophisticated, acquiring multi factor authentication for your business is not difficult as there are several companies that will be able to provide you with a multi factor solution and to implement it for you. The new system will be up and running in no time, and after training your staff to use it, you can continue with your business plan with much more peace of mind than you had before.
