Why is multi-factor authentication so important for email?

Private and personal data has become a popular commodity for cybercriminals. From stealing and selling it on the dark web to the highest bidder, to infecting it and demanding ransoms from its owners for a safe return, threat actors have found many ways to exploit data to their financial advantage.

As a result, companies must protect the data they use and store, whether it is their own, or belongs to partners, customers or suppliers. Whether information is kept in the cloud, or is resting locally on a company machine, it must always remain secure. Amongst the most vulnerable data locations for any enterprise are the email accounts used by their employees. Packed with personally identifiable information (PII), accounts represent treasure troves for hackers who are often only a password away from gaining access.

What makes email accounts unsecure?

Email access is granted when a user inputs two items of information, which is their email address and a corresponding password. From bogus inquiries to company websites, finding an address isn’t tricky. As for passwords, when they are weak and easy to crack or guess, a cybercriminal can quickly enter accounts.

How can multi-factor authentication (MFA) help?

MFA offers a second line of defence, which can block hackers from accessing accounts. Along with the above information, email sign up also includes additional information with MFA. This might be biometric data, like a fingerprint or retinal scan, or can simply be a passcode sent to your smartphone for verification. Either way, attackers will not be able to answer the request, keeping your accounts and data safe.

For further support and email security aid, contact us here at 127 Solutions today.