Did you know that 66% percent of small businesses have experienced a cyber attack in the last 12 months? That means more than half of the companies in operation had a data breach. This means personal information such as their username and password were exposed.
In some regions of the country, like Los Angeles, your business is especially vulnerable. Especially with the area’s high concentration of tech companies.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your business especially if your partner with a managed IT services Los Angeles based company.
One of the most effective security measures you can take is using two factor authentication. There are many benefits of two factor authentication. Yet, if you are trying to understand how it will help your business stay secure, this blog post is for you.
Here’s what you need to know to learn more about keeping your company safe using two factor authentication.
What is Two Factor Authentication?
Two factor authentication, or 2FA, is an extra layer of security. For example, it can protect programs like your Google Account, Gmail, Blogger, YouTube, and other Google services. Two factor identification also works on other programs you may use.
It requires users to provide two forms of identification before being granted access to an account or system. The first form of identification is typically a password.
The second form of identification can be a code from a physical token or a biometric identifier, such as a fingerprint or iris scan. It can even be as simple as a one-time code generated by an app on a smartphone. For instance, Google’s Authenticator app is an excellent example of two factor authentication.
The Benefits of Two Factor Authentication
There are many benefits of using two factor authentication. For starters, it makes it much harder for hackers to gain access to your systems. Even if they get a user’s password, they will still need a second form of identification to log in.
This significantly reduces the chances of a successful cyberattack. Additionally, two factor authentication can also make it easier to track down the source of an attack if one does occur. It provides an audit trail that can be used to identify the culprit.
Two factor authentication can also help protect against phishing attacks. When criminals send fake emails designed to trick you into clicking on links, it gives them the chance to access your accounts. By requiring something else apart from just a password (like a text message with a code), two factor authentication can help make sure that only you get access to your account.
Another benefit of two factor authentication is it helps protect against man-in-the-middle attacks. This kind of cyber security attack is where someone impersonates you. Then they retrieve sensitive information from websites or apps.
With two factor authentication enabled on your device, the attacker will not be able to access your data. This is because they won’t have access to the second piece of information.
Using two factor authentication for your business can also improve compliance. Many industries have regulations that require the use of 2FA. By using 2FA, you can ensure that your business complies with these regulations.
One last benefit of using two factor authentication is enhanced customer trust. Customers want to know their personal information is safe when doing business with you. Using 2FA can show your customers that you are serious about protecting their data.
How to Implement Two Factor Authentication
There are many different ways to implement two factor authentication. The best approach for your business will depend on your specific needs and resources.
Make sure that you have all the necessary hardware in place. You need a smartphone or other device for each employee who will be using two factor authentication. If you don’t have enough devices available, buy more, so everyone has one.
Make sure that all software is up-to-date and functional on each device. Your employees should be able to access their accounts at any time. This includes without any problems or errors occurring during the process.
If they notice any glitches or issues while logging in, they should report these problems immediately. You should also work to resolve them as quickly as possible.
If you’re unsure where to start, partnering with companies like Be Structured Technology Group can help. As a leading Los Angeles IT support company, they will assess your needs and develop a customized solution for you.
Training Your Employees to Use Two Factor Authentication
While two factor authentication works well to keep your business secure, to use it effectively you should create a training program. There are a few tips on how to get employees trained to use two factor authentication.
You want to make sure your employees understand why it’s needed. Most people don’t need much convincing when protecting their personal information. Especially when you remind them that the consequences of not doing so could be devastating for them personally and professionally (i.e., identity theft).
However, there may be times when you need something more tangible than words alone to help sell the idea of adding an extra layer of security before accessing sensitive data.
For example, if you have employees whose job requires access to important systems. Providing real-world situations to help ensure they understand possible security risks.
It will also help to train new hires on using two-factor authentication. Before they start working with sensitive materials or company data, they should have security training. Make sure that everyone understands how two factor authentication works and what steps they need to take when setting up their accounts for the first time with this feature enabled.
Protect Your Business Data
Two factor authentication may seem like an inconvenience, but it’s not. As you see, there are benefits of two factor authentication. It’s necessary to protect your business from simple to sophisticated cyberattacks.
If you’re unsure how to get started with two factor authentication, our managed IT services team at Be Structured Technology Group wants to help you.
Contact us today to learn more about protecting your business!
