As organizations rely more and more on remote workers, one of their primary focuses has to be security. The days of secure air-gapped networks are long gone, and a large number of employees are now expected to be able to work from anywhere. This means that the number of vulnerabilities that must be addressed has increased. While there is no one magic solution, there are things that can be done to make remote workers more secure.
MFA is short for multi-factor authentication, and it is an extra layer of security that is used to confirm a user's identity. By requiring more than just a password, MFA makes it harder for hackers to break into online accounts. It's simply a combination of two or more authentication methods, like something you know (such as a password) and something you have (such as your phone). One of the most popular ways to implement MFA is using a software-based authenticator.
While MFA is not a new technology, it is one that is increasingly being used to protect workstations across enterprises. It has been a popular tool for many years to secure organizations against unauthorized access to mobile devices, particularly in organizations that allow employees to bring their own devices (BYOD) to work.
So, is MFA enough to protect remote workers? It can be—if used in conjunction with other measures. With the rise of BYOD and remote working, MFA is one of the easiest things you can implement to protect your organization. The problem is that most people also log in from personal devices and unsecured networks, increasing the chance of someone being able to bypass MFA.
MFA can be an effective strategy to reduce the risk of attacks. However, there are several types of attacks that MFA doesn't protect against. For example, attackers can use phishing to trick a user, or a vulnerable application, into giving up their second factor. While MFA additionally requires the user to validate their identity in other ways (e.g., by typing a PIN code), these types of attacks often rely on convincing a user to click on a malicious link or download a malicious file, and thus, they are still effective.
Some of the threats MFA cannot protect against include:
Remote workers are often reminded of the importance of protecting personal information and data. Although organizations cannot put their companies' databases on lockdown, their employees can take precautions that limit the chances of unauthorized access to computers, tablets, and mobile phones. For example, if devices are stolen, employees can ensure that personal and company information is protected. Here are several ways employees can protect their details while working from home:
While strong authentication measures are an important security control to have in place, it is not effective if not enforced. Security awareness training programs can be helpful in getting people on the same page and creating a mindset within your organization of cybersecurity. A security solutions providers can support businesses entering emerging markets, helping them to effectively navigate numerous security challenges.
Anas Chbib
Anas Chbib is one of the most respected leaders in the security industry, known for his unmatched business ethics, inspirational entrepreneurial spirit, and fierce desire to offer organizations worldwide highly-secured environments in order to ensure business continuity and better service. Anas is currently the Founder and CEO of AGT, a highly respected, international cybersecurity firm.