The short answer is yes. The long answer is also yes, but with more details. In a world where everything we do has become digital, from ordering food for dinner to updating your vehicle’s registration each year, it’s become absolutely essential to protect your virtual identity just as carefully as your paper one. Moving beyond a password that’s just the name of your favorite childhood pet is a great first step, but two-factor authentication is an additional layer of security that can truly provide peace of mind. When all your personal and professional data is at stake, choosing that additional step should be a no-brainer—but a surprising number of people haven’t incorporated this yet.
Let’s dive into the long answer on why two-factor authentication is an essential move towards improving your business’s security:
What Is Two-Factor Authentication?
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an extra step in the login process whenever you go to log in to any of your online accounts. The most common version of this is the one where a 5-10 digit code is sent to your phone, or you receive a call that contains that code, and then you input that code after entering your password. This requires any potential thieves or hackers to have both your cell phone and your password in order to access your account—and it is often time-sensitive as an extra precaution. It’s possible to use an app instead of a text message or call, which provides an additional layer of security.
Why Is Two-Factor Authentication Better?
If this process sounds like a big hassle that would be better suited to a spy movie from the 90s, don’t be fooled! Hackers and cyber criminals are advancing as technology advances, and now that we all have all our data available digitally, it is imperative to stay one step ahead. By adding an extra step to your account, you make all your information much harder to compromise. As a business, this is even more important, since you may have all sorts of sensitive information that criminals would love to get their hands on—including your customer’s payment information. By implementing two-factor authentication, you’re going the extra mile to ensure that your customers data and your own remains safe.
How Do I Implement Two-Factor Authentication?
Once you’ve decided to implement two-factor authentication for your business, you have options for how to go about it. The phone call or text-messaging options are a great place to start, but some companies go even farther with cloud-based options, issuing personal fobs with electronic keys, or applications that issue one-time passwords for each login attempt in addition to the employee’s own password. The right option for your business will depend on your needs and the amount of data you have to protect, so contact an expert to find out which two-factor authentication solution would be best for your business.
Got more questions about improving the security of your business? We’ve got answers. In the digital world, cybercriminals abound, and we’re here to help you protect yourselves, your customers, and your business from those threats. If you’re ready to get started with our top-of-the-line data security services or other protection options, give us a shout today.