Tag: Cyber

Strengthening Security with Multi-Factor Authentication

Posted on by Josh Mantle

In today’s digital era, safeguarding the security of your online accounts and sensitive data is crucial. The conventional username and password combo, once seen as a robust security measure, no longer provides sufficient protection. As cyber threats continue to evolve, becoming ever more sophisticated, it’s high time to embrace Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to fortify your digital defences. 

What Exactly is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)? 

Multi-Factor Authentication, often known as MFA or 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication), necessitates users providing two or more forms of identification before gaining access to an account or system. This introduces an additional layer of security beyond the traditional username and password, making it considerably more challenging for unauthorised individuals to gain access. 

How Does MFA Function? 

MFA typically incorporates three distinct authentication factors: 

  • Something You Know: This corresponds to the conventional username and password. It’s the knowledge-based factor and serves as the initial line of defence. 
  • Something You Have: This can be a physical device like a smartphone or a hardware token. Following the input of your username and password, you’ll be required to provide a code generated by the device or received through a mobile app or SMS. 
  • Something You Are: This refers to biometric authentication, such as fingerprint recognition, retina scanning, or facial recognition. The inclusion of biometrics enhances security significantly. 

The Benefits of MFA 

  • Heightened Security: MFA substantially minimises the risk of unauthorised access, even if an intruder manages to acquire your password. They would still need access to your second-factor authentication method. 
  • Resilience Against Phishing: MFA serves as a robust defence against phishing attacks. Even if you inadvertently disclose your password to a fraudulent website, the attacker will still require your second-factor authentication. 
  • Compliance Obligations: Many regulatory frameworks and industry standards, such as GDPR and HIPAA, mandate the implementation of MFA to safeguard sensitive information. 
  • User-Friendly Experience: Modern MFA solutions are designed to be user-friendly and convenient. Mobile apps and biometric methods have streamlined the process for users. 

Deploying MFA Within Your Organisation 

To effectively implement MFA within your organisation, consider the following steps: 

  • Select the Most Appropriate MFA Method: Choose the MFA methods that align with your organisation’s specific requirements. Options include SMS-based codes, mobile apps like Google Authenticator, or hardware tokens. 
  • Educate Your Users: Provide comprehensive training and guidance to your employees or users on setting up and using MFA. Ensure they appreciate the significance of this additional layer of security. 
  • Continuous Testing and Monitoring: Regularly assess your MFA system and closely monitor for any suspicious activity. Be prepared to respond swiftly to any security incidents. 
  • Explore Adaptive Authentication: Certain MFA solutions offer adaptive authentication, which evaluates the risk level of login attempts and adapts the authentication requirements accordingly. 

In conclusion, Multi-Factor Authentication stands as a vital tool for safeguarding your digital assets in a progressively perilous online landscape. By incorporating MFA, you can significantly elevate your security posture and diminish the risk of unauthorised access to your accounts and systems. Stay one step ahead of cyber threats and make MFA an integral component of your cybersecurity strategy today. 

Want to learn more about MFA? Listen to a recent Tech Takeaway episode titled – The Evolution Of MFA

If your organisation needs help in deploying MFA, please feel free to contact our team by filling out a contact form by clicking the ‘contact us’ button in the top right of the page. Alternatively, you can email us at, sales@gardnersystems.co.uk and a member of the team will be in touch.  

 

Cyber Resilience: Why don’t you have a cyber resilience plan?

Posted on by @deliverGardner

On episode 5 of our Tech Takeaways, Paul, Jason and Wayne discuss the importance of cyber resilience. While cyber security is a significant concern for all businesses, few have specific plans to deal with the impact of a cyber-attack. A cyber resilience strategy is a key part of knowing how to react if a cyber-attack happens. Let’s go back through what was talked about in the episode and find out how you can build a good framework to protect your assets. 

What is Cyber Resilience?

Cyber resilience planning concerns what a business will do when/if its systems are breached. Where software and endpoint solutions work to mitigate attacks before they get inside a business’s systems, cyber resilience plans help defend against threats that fully manifest. It includes a response procedure, i.e. what will the business do, which individuals are involved in the response, and what are their roles.  

Investing in cyber security measures is still important. However, businesses should accept that cyber security measures cannot reduce threat risk to zero. Cyber resilience planning accounts for the event where the business’s other security measures fail.  

Advice for Being Cyber Resilient

Risk Assessment

Make a list of key systems that could be impacted by potential cyber-attacks. Ask yourself, ‘how does my business operate if this system goes down?’. Criminals are likely to target the most important systems to maximise the effect on the business. 

Define Recovery Plan

It should be clear who in the organisation is leading the response, which systems need to be recovered first, and what methods can be used. This creates a solid framework to get your business back online as quickly as possible. 

Employee Awareness

A business’s employees can be both a threat and the first line of defense. However, the latter can only be achieved through appropriate cyber resilience training. Ensure that all users possess an understanding of how cyber-attacks can manifest, along with the knowledge needed to prevent security risks. It’s subsequently a good idea to simulate cyber threats to allow teams of employees to practice.  

Conclusions

If your business doesn’t have a cyber resilience plan in place, a successful cyber-attack will be much more damaging and take much longer to recover from. On the other hand, having a comprehensive cyber resilience plan allows you respond to and recover from threats quickly. This lets your business maintain day-to-day operations despite outside influence. 

Checkout the full episode on our page here

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