2021 Secure Your Digital Footprint Roadmap - Next Stop, Multifactor Authentication (MFA)!

What is Multifactor Authentication (MFA)?

MFA is an authentication technique that requires two or more factors to verify your identity. This technique adds another layer of access control to your accounts, services, and devices. There are three general categories for MFA: something you know, something you have, and something you are.

Something you know, this is something that you know that you entered when setting up your account. Examples are passwords, challenge pictures, or answers to challenge questions.

Something you have is a device that is used in the authentication process. Common examples are cellphones, fobs, and usb drives. These devices provide additional information for you to enter during the authentication process.

Something you are uses your biometric features such as fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans to verify your identity during the authentication process.

Here is a great MFA summary video by HID Global.

So what?

Enabling MFA on all your accounts, services, and devices is the simplest single action you can take to protect against unauthorized access and account take overs. Most all of your accounts, services, and devices should have a form of MFA available to you, use it!

References

HID Global. (2017, May 31). What is Multi-factor Authenticaiton [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFv101qURKE

Okta. (n.d.). Why multi-factor authentication (MFA) is important. Okta | The Identity Standard. https://www.okta.com/identity-101/why-mfa-is-everywhere/

Cybersecurity, TipsBrandon BurmeisterOctober 31, 2021