Archive for category: Multifactor Authentication

improve cybersecurity without increasing spending

You Don’t Have to Increase Spending to Improve Cybersecurity

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improve cybersecuritySmall and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) aren’t as protected from cyber threats as they should be. Although larger corporations have more data for cyber criminals to take advantage of, SMBs are less likely to have up-to-date cybersecurity defenses, making them tempting – and easy – targets for hackers.

Because SMBs are easier targets, you may feel the need to invest heavily in the right infrastructure to protect your private information. Although cybersecurity is a must, a good strategy doesn’t have to drain your budget; managed services can be a predictable, plannable, and affordable cost. Your MSP can help protect your business and support a stronger strategy that includes:

Lifecycle management.

You’d be surprised how many systems are still running on outdated, unlicensed, or unpatched software. This leaves businesses completely open to attack, as critical upgrades to prevent data breaches must be installed to protect your organization. Hackers will take advantage of these vulnerabilities in your infrastructure.

Staff training and education.

Human error is the most challenging aspect of cybersecurity because it’s not as easily managed. The only way to mitigate the possibility of mistakes is to educate employees on an ongoing basis. Teach your staff about the latest phishing methods and implement basic policies and procedures to protect business data.

Strict permissions and policies.

Not everyone in your organization should have access to every system. Controlling access to your data to only those who must have such access can limit risk. As well, having strict policies about passwords, email security, and mobile device use can protect your organization.

Offsite backup and data recovery (BDR).

By storing a backup of your data at a secure offsite location, you will have access to the information your business needs to remain in operation, even if your facility is inaccessible or destroyed. Offsite backup and data recovery is critical to all businesses, no matter their size.

Multi-factor authentication.

Every organization should be using multi-factor authentication because password protection simply isn’t enough to protect your business. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a crucial security layer requiring more than one authentication method to verify a user’s identity.

These basic cybersecurity practices will help you protect your infrastructure in a cost-effective way. SMBs must defend against cybersecurity threats, because they are at risk, more so than larger organizations. These simple steps are the best start to securing your private networks, leaving more money in the budget for the right resources. Don’t fall victim to cyber threats when you can be prepared and remain competitive in a time when IT is your strongest asset.

As a top-rated IT security firm in Canada, we are committed to helping Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses develop proactive, cost-effective IT strategies that minimize risk, maximize efficiency, and build trust with Canadian citizens. Contact us to learn more.

Improve IT Security with Multifactor Authentication

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Improve IT Security with Multifactor Authentication

Security breaches are a daily occurrence, making headlines on a regular basis.

Costly incidents are happening more and more frequently across all industries and businesses.

Every business leader is charged with beefing up IT security and protecting both proprietary data and customer information, but network security alone is no longer enough.

Multifactor authentication is one of many new layers of security that businesses must consider, to help thwart additional attacks.

What Is Multifactor Authentication?

Multifactor authentication (MFA), sometimes called two-factor authentication, is a crucial security layer requiring more than one authentication method to verify a user’s identity.

It blocks all access to a device, network, or terminal unless two of three factors are provided: something you have, something you know, or something you are.

These independent identity authorizations include a password, a security token, and often, a biometric verification.

How Multifactor Authentication Works

MFA makes it virtually impossible for someone to hack into a user’s devices, the network, or a database.

Most consumers use multifactor authorization all the time without realizing it. When you use a bank’s ATM machine, you swipe a card and enter a pin.

That is multifactor authorization.

But businesses need to begin recognizing the significance of containing security breaches by implementing MFA as a part of their overall IT security strategy.

The combinations for multifactor authentication are limitless:

Card swipe + pin

  • Username + password + texted access code
  • Card swipe + fingerprint + security question or password

Cyber Attacks Costs Everyone

The average cost of a data breach in Canada is $6 million, and half of all cyber-attacks on Canadian businesses are successful, with more than 51 percent of businesses reporting losses.

Multifactor authentication technology should not replace existing security (firewalls, malware detection, hosted email exchange, offsite backup and recovery).

Instead should be used to augment security, making it far more difficult for anyone other than the intended party to access sensitive information.

Combined with other security measures, such as stronger employee passwords, robust email security, and secure hosted services, multifactor authentication is an essential element of your organization’s overall security efforts.

MFA can prevent hackers from achieving a brute force entry into your network.

It’s much harder to breach a network using a fingerprint or a one-time-use access code texted to a single mobile device than it is to guess an employee’s password that is likely written on a sticky note under their keyboard.

As technology fundamentally changes how we do business, serve customers, and meet compliance standards, business leaders must re-evaluate whether their current IT strategies are meeting their needs.

The ITeam is committed to helping Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses develop proactive IT strategies that keep them competitive. Contact us to learn more.

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