Why does your business need 2FA?
For businesses today, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue - it's a top business concern. Having appropriate security measures in place is essential because there are more and more threats aimed at companies of all sizes. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is one of the best and simplest security solutions to use.
Although they offer a minimal level of security, passwords are frequently weak, reusable across several accounts, and susceptible to hacking. Hackers usually take advantage of weak passwords via phishing scams, misplaced devices, and data breaches at other businesses. This gives hackers access to vital business systems and data, enabling them to steal credentials and obtain unauthorised use.
Implementing 2FA helps address these inherent password risks by adding an extra layer of identity verification. No longer are usernames and passwords alone sufficient for login access. With 2FA, even if a password is stolen, the account takeover is blocked without the secondary confirmation method. This higher security standard protects companies from a range of threats and vulnerabilities.
This guide will explain why 2FA should be a priority security practice for all businesses. We will go over the best practices for turning on multi-factor authentication for accounts and systems that are used frequently by organisations. The goal is to make a compelling case for prioritising 2FA adoption as a foundational cybersecurity control.
How do you protect sensitive systems and data for your business?
Preventing unauthorised access to confidential data and internal systems should be a primary concern for any business. Unfortunately, traditional password-based access controls often fall short:
Shared credential risks: Many organisations utilise shared or generic accounts for convenience. This allows any user with the credentials to potentially access sensitive systems.
Weak credentials: Busy employees may choose simplistic passwords that can be easily guessed or cracked over time.
Stolen or leaked credentials: A single compromised machine or phishing attempt can expose administrative credentials for misuse.
By using 2FA, these weak access points are strengthened. Without the secondary authentication factor, systems are still secure even if weak passwords are used or credentials are stolen. Some examples:
Secure network routers, firewalls, and servers from unauthorised configuration changes.
Lock down sensitive file servers and databases containing intellectual property, customer records, and other confidential business documents.
Harden remote access to internal IT administration portals, which could impact core infrastructure if abused.
2FA provides an essential security barrier around critical financial and operational systems that keep a business operating safely every day by enforcing multifactor authentication. It significantly increases the barrier to entry for malicious actors seeking to gain access to or alter proprietary data and sensitive back-end platforms.
How do you enable 2FA in your business?
The good news is that enabling 2FA for a business is quite straightforward. There are a few common methods organisations can choose from:
SMS-based codes: Many systems support verifying login attempts with a text message sent to a registered employee's phone number.
Authenticator apps: Widely available apps like Google Authenticator allow the generation of time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) on employee devices.
Hard tokens: Physical USB or Bluetooth keys from providers like Yubico can be issued to employees for strongly authenticated access.
Centralised SSO: Single sign-on services provide 2FA at the organisational account level versus individual devices. This streamlines administration.
For most businesses starting, SMS or authenticator apps provide a simple setup requiring minimal new hardware. When selecting accounts to protect first, prioritise administrators and any systems for billing, payroll, or sensitive customer data storage.
Ideally, implement a phased roll-out plan to promote adoption. Educate employees on the importance of 2FA for security. Make the registration process quick and frictionless. Over time, 2FA should grow to cover the majority of privileged system logins and high-value online services. A centralised SSO may be preferable as the business grows.
Taking these initial steps will significantly improve your security posture at a low cost. 2FA establishes resilience against many external and internal threats with minimal disruption to normal operations.
Sharing two-factor authentication without compromising security can be challenging. This is where a centralised authenticator like Daito makes it easy. With Daito, you can securely share your 2FA tokens with teammates in just a few steps:
Sign up for a free Daito account at daito.io
Add your first 2FA account
Invite your teammates
Share 2FA tokens with your team
Daito's web-based authenticator allows you to generate 2FA tokens and assign access to colleagues without handing out physical devices or app credentials. Role-based controls ensure the right access for each team member.
It's a simple solution for collaborating securely while still leveraging the strong authentication of two-factor verification. With Daito, your team can protect sensitive accounts without compromising usability or security.
Can I have 2FA on 2 phones?
One of the main benefits of two-factor authentication is the added security from requiring a second device with you. However, maintaining 2FA across multiple phones can pose some challenges.
Authenticator apps or SMS codes can only be sent to one registered device at a time with most standard 2FA implementations. You might not be able to access protected accounts if you misplace that phone until you de-register the old one and set up the new one.
Some services do allow scanning a QR code with multiple devices set up in parallel. Then you could receive codes on both your phone and tablet, for example.
A better solution is to use a web-based authenticator like Daito that is not device-dependent. With Daito, you can access your 2FA tokens from any browser without needing dedicated authenticator apps.
This allows seamless 2FA access across all your phones, tablets, and computers, as needed. There's no limit to the number of devices, and you never have to worry about losing access if a single device is compromised or broken.
For maximum flexibility and continuity of 2FA protection on the go, a browser-based solution like Daito is ideal when you frequently use multiple phones or devices.
In conclusion, two-factor authentication is an essential layer of security for both personal and organisational accounts in today's threat landscape. Even in cases where usernames and passwords are compromised by phishing schemes or network intrusions, the addition of an extra authentication factor for verification aids in preventing unauthorised access, even though passwords remain the first line of defence.
Traditional 2FA methods that rely on individual devices can eventually cause administration and usage issues for teams and businesses. A centralised authenticator service like Daito streamlines 2FA management for shared workforce accounts without physical hardware dependencies. Role-based access controls and activity monitoring provide robust security and oversight capabilities suited for enterprise needs.
Making the switch to multifactor authentication, whether using built-in options or a dedicated solution, strengthens online protection with minimal disruption to users. While 2FA does introduce an extra step, the security benefits outweigh this minor inconvenience. Given modern threats, 2FA should be considered a baseline security practice rather than an optional precaution.
Centralising 2FA through a specialised platform like Daito produces maximum security returns through simplified usability. It ensures continued access even if individual employee devices are lost, while still firmly locking down sensitive systems and data with an added layer of identity verification beyond passwords alone.