The challenges of multi-factor authentication
The rise of data breaches lately has consequently meant that organizations have to find more secure ways of protecting their data and other digital assets. Multi-factor authentication has proved to be one of the solutions that organizations have turned to for securing their data.
For the best part of the last decade, one of the most effective advice for improving personal security has been the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA serves as an additional layer of security by requiring a one time password (OTP) for instance when users attempt to access sensitive areas of your enterprise data.
This article explores some of the key benefits of MFA as well as the challenges that enterprises typically face when implementing MFA across their digital infrastructure.
Benefits of Multi-factor authentication
Passwords are a lot easier to steal or breach nowadays and without an additional layer of security, you may simply be giving the keys to the kingdom away too easily to a simple brute force attacker. Here are some of the benefits of multi-factor authentication to your enterprise.
1. Identity theft prevention
Hackers have evolved to now use sophisticated keylogging tools and phishing techniques and having a strong password on its own is now insufficient. Two-factor authentication for instance has helped to prevent identity theft by ensuring that users provide additional authorization before accessing your personal data. VPNpro.com reviews some highly detailed VPNs to improve your identity protection.
2. Improved security
Additional layers of security are always beneficial to any organization. By implementing MFA, users are essentially forced to provide at least double evidence when accessing your enterprise’s data. Generally, the more layers of protection you set up, the less likelier it’ll be for cybercriminals to breach your data.
3. Compliance
Some compliance standards like the GDPR and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) typically require additional layers of protection that go beyond passwords like 2FA. By implementing MFA, you’d be meeting with some requirements of such standards.
5 Challenges of multi-factor authentication
Although the challenges of MFA will vary largely from one enterprise to another, the following represents the core issues you’re likely to face when implementing this additional layer of security with your organization.
User resistance
User resistance has been a major challenge in the implementation or adoption of MFA in enterprises of all sizes. Like all new technology roll-outs, implementing MFA across your establishment may be met by reluctance from internal or external end-users who may initially be reluctant to use it. However, it’s important to note that MFA is rapidly growing in popularity lately and consequently, end-user resistance is dying down.
Cost
This is one of the biggest challenges associated with implementing MFA since it isn’t free. There’s a wide range of costs associated with deploying this technology across your enterprise. You’ll need to consider the costs of training, SMS gateway services for receiving one time passwords, app development, as well as ongoing support.
Although the cost of implementing MFA may reduce in the long run, it is still a challenge for enterprises doing so for the first time.
Technical gaps
While the implementation of MFA may be seamless for businesses who are wholly in the cloud, it’s not so straightforward when there’s a combination of locally hosted apps and cloud-based. You’ll need to consider whether your local email client or devices can support MFA and how they’ll blend with data and apps hosted in the cloud.
Complexity and backup options
Some authenticators like hardware tokens, for instance, may require additional drivers. For instance, you may need to constantly test for compatibility as different operating systems or developmental environments evolve. This additional ongoing support may further lead to complexities that enterprises find challenging prior to adopting MFA.
In addition, the lack of backup solutions to MFA can also deter enterprises from adopting it. For instance, you’ll need to make adequate preparations for what happens when end-users lose their phone or authenticating device for instance.
Access codes can be stolen
This is an ongoing challenge that organizations typically consider when looking into MFA solutions. Hackers are consistently finding more sophisticated ways of gaining access to sensitive data and MFA passwords or tokens are not left out. From unlawfully diverting end-users’ calls to temporarily gaining access to their devices, hackers have proved to be relentless in their attempts to gain access to sensitive information.
The development of sophisticated tools that can sometimes bypass 2FA is an additional hurdle that enterprises have to cross before deciding whether or not to adopt an MFA solution.
Closing thoughts
Implementing MFA in any organization comes with many benefits but you’ll need to ensure they’re in line with your overall security goals. However, as with any new technological roll-out in any organization, IT managers must be prepared to deal with changes as well as resistance if the organization is to stand any chance of success with deployment. More importantly, you should consider setting up a VPN for an additional layer of encryption as well as robust identity protection.
Do you have any innovative business idea you would like to make come true? Use STARTUPS.CH experts to become self-employed.
» VPNpro» Found online