4 Ways to Strengthen Your Authentication Program

Authentication in the modern age is still a relatively misunderstood problem. When a hacker can steal 100 million credit card applications and accounts from Capital One in 2019, it's clear that even the largest companies are still susceptible to unauthorized access. Companies that can develop a better authentication program won't eliminate their chances of identity theft or misuse, but they can greatly reduce their odds. 

Ripple Effects 

No matter what industry you're in, your company is the keeper of valuable information. From financial data to trade secrets, you need to think about who has access to what data. Large companies like Target and T-Mobile survive hacks (in large part due to the sheer size and scale of their operation), but smaller companies typically can't handle that kind of strain after they sustain a breach. 

One hack not only costs time and money to address the immediate problems, but it can also erode the trust that your customers have placed in you. The next time they want to do business with you, they may think twice before reaching out. Your stockholders and employees may also find themselves questioning the legitimacy and the efficacy of your organization. 

Tips for Rethinking Authentication 

If you're worried about being hacked, here are a few ways to stay out of trouble. 

Tightened policy

It's remarkably normal for companies to compromise their security, especially in the case of an emergency. But the consequences of sharing a password or logging into an unsecured network are too great to take that chance. Now is the time to comb through your policy, update it to fight against the modern threats, and communicate your expectations with employees. Write everything down and ensure employees understand the new protocol. 

Stronger Password Policies 

Passwords should be around 8 characters long and require a variety of upper case, lower case, and symbols. Encourage employees to create passwords that they know they'll remember, otherwise they might copy it down and pin it to the inside of their unlocked desk drawer.

Two-Factor Authentication 

This simple fix requires more than one piece of data to log in. For example, before a person can log into the company site, they need to first check an email for a special code. This particular tactic is championed by security experts because it gives hackers just one more reason to move on. 

More Awareness 

One of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access to information is through social engineering. Hackers send convincing emails disguised under the boss' name or download viruses on flash drives and then leave it near an employee's desk. These techniques evolve every year,  but you can help employees make better choices through more education. 

Microbilt understands the real threats of identity theft, which is why we offer a variety of services and products that can alert you of a problem before it becomes a catastrophe. Hackers can attack from any number of angles, so let us help you close those gaps before they find their way in.