Understanding How Two Factor Authentication Can Benefit Your Business
Posted on: 2 March 2016
If you're running a business that relies on server access and network support, you need to understand the concept of two factor authentication. It's an authentication process that requires users to not only enter a password, but also provide some other form of verification, such as a retinal scan or a fingerprint. You can even use an identification card and pass code combination if you prefer. Here's a look at some of the reasons why you should consider two factor authentication for your computers.
Impervious to Brute-Force Attacks
Most password crackers use brute force to bombard the system with a large number of consecutive password attempts until finding the right one. When your systems require two factor authentication, it prevents brute force attacks by computer-generated applications from being able to breach your system security. Even if the password is identified through the password cracking application, the hacker won't be able to access the system, because the second authentication factor will be missing.
Greater General Security
When your systems rely on more than just a password or pin number to grant access, you have less risk of breaches due to careless employees. Even if your employees write down their passwords on a piece of paper at the workstation, those passwords alone aren't going to be a security threat.
In addition, an absent-minded employee setting down an access card in a public restroom isn't going to introduce an additional threat to your system security, because without the password, someone who finds a network access card isn't going to be able to get to anything.
Reduced Support Demands
One of the most time-intensive training sessions is often the one on password security. If every employee has to receive training about secure passwords when hired and then again a few times a year as a reminder, that's a lot of time and effort spent by your support staff. When you use multiple levels of authentication for system access, it reduces the need for overwhelmingly secure or auto-generated passwords.
Not only can this help you to reduce the training sessions, it may even reduce the number of calls to support by employees who have locked themselves out of their workstations and need a password reset. This can help you reclaim lost productivity from lockouts and reduce the time your support staff spends doing basic tasks like these password resets. After all, with a thumbprint or access card, your employees can use their first pet's name or their child's nickname as a password without as great a concern about security.
As you can see, two factor authentication is a great investment for most any business, particularly if you want to ensure system security without having to make it complex. Talk with a security professional today for more info about implementing a two factor authentication solution on your network.
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