6 Errors to Evade When Deploying Multi-Factor Authentication

A username and password are no longer sufficient to protect your data. This is the reason that more companies are implementing MFA (multi-factor authentication).

Cybercriminals should encounter obstacles as a result of MFA in order to discourage them from trying to gain access to your network and sensitive data.

This is accomplished by requesting information from users to confirm their identity. These are the typical information that would be required.

• PIN, login information, and a security query.
• USB key or token.
• Biometrics such as fingerprints, voice, or eye recognition.
• Precise geographical location as determined by GPS tracking.

Errors and risky methods in the deployment of MFA

MFA deployment is not without difficulties. There is clearly still work to be done before MFA is implemented as it should be, as seen by the companies who are hesitant to adopt MFA for a variety of reasons and the companies that are making mistakes in its implementation.

Here are 6 errors that businesses make while implementing MFA.

1. Examining MFA as a possibility

The majority of the firms are guilty of just offering single-factor authentication. Because of this, the majority of users don’t use it and instead utilize their passwords to access their accounts. You should require every staff member to utilize MFA rather than providing them with an option.

Although it may appear rigid and make the login procedure more lengthy, this is a crucial step for security. Users will select the ones that feel the simplest or the ones they are already familiar with when presented with options. Security shouldn’t be compromised.

2. Making MFA difficult

Making the transition from passwords to MFA will increase complexity, but your objective should be to simplify login for consumers without sacrificing security. Users might resist MFA implementation and eventually quit using it to log in to their accounts if it increases cyber fatigue and makes the process difficult. Contextual access policies, especially in addition to the second element, are the best method to reduce friction.

3. MFA implementation in part

Most firms prefer to employ partial implementation by merely providing MFA to a chosen group of consumers and applications, as opposed to adopting it throughout the entire enterprise.

MFA is sometimes exclusively used by executives because they believe they have access to sensitive company information held on low-cost dedicated servers and therefore need to have their accounts safeguarded.

They are unaware that numerous other staff members also have access to confidential information. More crucially, if hackers are successful in accessing other accounts that do not employ MFA, then the partial MFA won’t help.

They could cause chaos for the entire company by using these accounts as a stepping stone to other vital business data. Ensure that MFA is used across the board because hackers could take advantage of flaws in any program to carry out their plans.

4. Using SMS

Although utilizing text messages for authentication has several security flaws, it is still preferable to doing nothing. Sim swapping and mobile phishing are two prevalent techniques that make use of SMS code authentication.

It is preferable to utilize an authenticator application rather than just depending just on SMS because the authentication code could be abused.

5. Putting a single-point solution to place

The most common error most firms make is that they approach cybersecurity from a reactive rather than a proactive perspective. This indicates that they act quickly to put security policies in place after suffering a data breach or a cyber-attack.

MFA also applies in this case. MFA is placed just before an audit or following a cybersecurity disaster. Even so, the technologies they select only serve a very specific use case.

Although it may appear to be a terrific alternative at first, single-point solutions cannot withstand the test of time in the long term. Businesses will gradually see a drop in usage before abandoning it altogether, hence, increasing the danger of cybersecurity assaults and data breaches.

This is why it is crucial to establish and implement a thorough MFA strategy. Otherwise, you risk only using it in one location, leaving the rest vulnerable.

6. Underestimating the effect

Businesses will minimize the impact of MFA on your company processes and workflows if you question them about it. MFA implementation necessitates numerous adjustments. These modifications which range from altered process flows to altered behavioral patterns, are crucial to the adoption of MFA.

Consider the process adjustments you will need to make to implement MFA. Before adopting MFA, be sure to inform all consumers of all the changes you plan to make.

Conclusion

Ensure you are receiving multilayered protection whether you have already deployed MFA or are about to do so to avoid wasting your time and money.

By combining MFA with SSO (single sign-on) and going passwordless, you can strengthen MFA security. By eliminating the awkward and most vulnerable part of your authentication process, you make it even more difficult for fraudsters to get beyond the barriers you’ve put in place.