Keeping Your Accounts Secure with Two-Factor Authentication
As cybercrime becomes more sophisticated, companies find their security systems are no match for modern threats and attacks. Sometimes simple human error can leave a company exposed. This not only damages user trust, but all companies, from small firms to corporations – can suffer severe financial and reputational loss.
A key security factor to consider is the increasing number of devices that are continuously connected to data. As your organization’s web of employees, customers, and vendors increases, so do expectations of instant accessibility. Unanticipated cyber threats can come from hostile powers, competitors, organized hackers, people working within your organization, or third-party vendors. Cybersecurity policies are becoming increasingly crucial as mandatory disclosure of cybersecurity incidents and data breaches continues to grow. These factors highlight the importance of providing extra layers of security from social media accounts to business and financial applications. What’s a cost-effective and wide-reaching solution? Two-factor authentication.
Enter Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication was created to give the user an extra layer of security to keep prying eyes out of your accounts and data. With this type of security, there is an extra step of verification to ensure that you are the only one who can access your account, even if someone else has your credentials.
When you sign into a device for the first time, you’ll need to provide two pieces of information—your password and the verification code that’s automatically displayed on your trusted device or sent to your phone number. A verification code is a temporary code sent to your device or phone number when you sign in with a new device or browser. Two-factor authentication takes your security to the next level, but there are a few steps you need to take to make sure it works as planned:
- Keep a record of your sign-in credentials
- Ensure that your devices are all password-protected
- Keep your phone number up-to-date
- Notify all key contacts/accounts if your devices have been physically or digitally compromised
Plan for the future and prevent online security breaches with two-factor authentication, employee training, and staying up-to-date with technological advances.
What should I do if I think I’ve been compromised?
Immediately contact us at (833) 982-1020 and any other providers that the breach is related to. Gather as much information about the accounts or data you think has been compromised as possible.