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The Biggest Hackers, The Biggest Attacks: The 4 Most Major Security Breaches in History

Tram Nguyen
January 01, 1970

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In 2018, 5 billion data breaches occurred. While this is a decrease from 7.9 billion in 2017, it’s still a significantly high number.

Every business has sensitive data they want to safeguard, so you should think about adopting better practices to keep this information secure. Here are four types of authentications you can implement at your workplace for better cybersecurity.

1. PIN and Password

This is an authentication method you’re already familiar with. For any account, you’ll need either a PIN or password to access it, as well as the username itself.

This is the most basic type of authentication and will work best if you combine it with other methods, such as the ones listed below. By using multi-factor authentication, you add multiple checkpoints so if there’s a possible breach, it’s harder for cybercriminals to access information.

2. Knowledge Factors

PINs, passwords, and usernames are technically knowledge-based factors. But you can combine these with other factors of the same category.

For instance, after you type in the correct username and password, a site may ask you to answer a secret question, such as the name of your first dog. It may also generate a code that’s sent to your phone or email. You’ll generally have a limited timeframe to enter the code before it expires so that if criminals compromise your phone or email, they can’t use it to gain access to your accounts.

3. Possession Factors

Possession-based factors are excellent to implement because it means remote hackers can’t penetrate your system. These work similar to how a secret question or code generator. But instead of being digital, they’re more physical.

For example, you’d carry around something with you that either generates a code for you, or you touch it to your device for verification through Bluetooth or RFID. By using this, should anyone find out your username and password, they still can’t get into your account since they don’t have the physical key.

4. Inherence Factors

Inherence factors are a bit more high tech but can be one of the most secure ways for you to safeguard data. Inherence factors use your biometric data through things like fingerprinting, retinal scanning, and voice recognition.

Again, this layer of security ensures that if criminals compromise your credentials, they can’t do much with that information. It also prevents data breaches from the inside. If employees are limited by biometric factors, those without proper authorization won’t be able to access areas they’re not supposed to.

These Types of Authentications Will Fortify Your Business

Now that you know some types of authentications, you have a few choices in securing your workplace data. There’s no such thing as too much cybersecurity, so if more than one authentication sounds optimal for your company, it’s a good idea to look into having them implemented at your company.

If you’re interested in protecting your workforce with multi-factor authentication, request a demo from us today!

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