Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-Factor Authentication is becoming increasingly more popular for UK businesses as it helps to protect unauthorised access into systems. With its purpose to provide an additional layer of security for accessing websites, applications, systems and devices.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication?

Almost everyone is familiar with the standard logon details which typically come in the form of a username and a password – but with usernames often being easy to discover and passwords being hard to remember, a lot of people tend to stick with relatively simple passwords making account details easily compromised. The end result being anyone with the logon details being able to gain access to any data or functionality which the user has access to.

Multi-Factor authentication (MFA) is an additional layer of protection to the sign-in process, meaning when accessing a website/app/system/device you also need to provide additional verification such as entering a code, accepting a prompt on a smart device, or using biometrics such as facial recognition or a fingerprint scan. With the outcome meaning that even if your username and Password were to become compromised, without that final layer of authentication being available to a hacker, they cannot gain access.

Multi-Factor Authentication factors fall into three categories:

• Possession
  This is something you have – such as a Smartphone/watch, or Secure USB Key
• Knowledge
  This is something you know – such as a Password, or PIN
• Biometrics
  This is something you are – Such as Facial recognition, or a fingerprint

If you are looking to implement a Multi-Factor Authentication solution to your business and are located in London or elsewhere in the UK and have the aim to improve security and protect crucial data and services, Proxar IT Consulting can help. Contact us for more details!
Want to dive even deeper into Multi-Factor Authentication? Check out our dedicated blog post!