Are you using Multi-Factor Authentication with Microsoft 365?
From financial accounts to social media logins, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) provides an extra layer of protection for every account on which it’s used. And even though it’s become a security best practice, some consider it an inconvenience and would rather risk a hack than take a second to enter a security code.
While MFA use boils down to a personal choice on private accounts, many companies also fail to protect themselves and their data by requiring MFA for employee activity on Microsoft 365. MFA for Microsoft 365 provides:
- Enhanced Security: Enabling MFA for your Microsoft 365 account will significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Even if an attacker manages to obtain an account password, they would still need to pass the secondary authentication to gain entry.
- Phishing Protection: Phishing attacks are a prevalent threat in employees’ inboxes. MFA mitigates this risk by adding an extra step that goes beyond the compromised password, rendering stolen credentials ineffective.
- Compliance Requirements: Many regulatory standards, insurance coverages, and industry-specific compliance frameworks mandate the use of MFA for securing sensitive data. Implementing MFA for Microsoft 365 ensures you meet these requirements and avoid potential penalties.
To maximize the effectiveness of MFA, follow these best practices:
- Enforce MFA for all users: Implement MFA for every user across the entire organization to ensure consistent protection for all respective accounts.
- Educate Users: Provide clear instructions and educate users on the importance of MFA, how to set it up, and how to recognize and report potential phishing attempts.
- Use App Passwords: Some legacy applications may not support MFA. In such cases, use app passwords, which are unique passwords generated for specific applications, instead of the user's regular password.
- Regularly Review and Update Security Policies: Stay updated with the latest security recommendations from Microsoft and adapt your security policies accordingly.
By implementing multi-factor authentication for Microsoft 365, you can significantly enhance the security of your valuable data. The team at PCS will help you with MFA and Microsoft 365 licensing.