The Seatbelt of Information Technology
The CDC reports that seatbelts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about 50%—an impressive outcome for a passive safety feature. Before seatbelt laws, driving posed significant risks, with even minor accidents potentially being fatal. Today, most people wouldn’t think of driving without buckling up first.
Similarly, the internet is full of dangers for businesses. Every time an employee opens an email, clicks on a link, or visits a website, there’s a chance they could expose the company to ransomware or other devastating cyberattacks. In today’s digital landscape, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) must operate online, relying on cloud services and customer communication—making strong security measures essential. Without these, one careless click could lead to disaster.
The Vulnerability of Passwords
At the most basic level, businesses rely on usernames and passwords to secure their networks. But with just these credentials, all a threat actor needs is for an employee to mistakenly input them into a phishing site or a malicious email prompt.
I’ve seen this firsthand. In my 25 years of experience, breaches caused by software hacks were rare. However, breaches due to stolen credentials were common, affecting nearly every customer I’ve worked with. Some incidents were minor—like having to reset passwords and remove a business from spam blacklists. Others were catastrophic, like when a CFO’s credentials were compromised, resulting in a fraudulent $350,000 wire transfer.
MFA: A Simple Yet Powerful Solution
Just as seatbelts protect drivers, Multifactor Authentication (MFA) protects businesses online. MFA requires more than just a password—users must also present a second factor, such as a mobile device or biometric data. This makes it much harder for attackers to access accounts, even if they manage to steal a password.
A Microsoft study found that MFA reduces the risk of compromised credentials by over 99%. While it’s not a catch-all solution, MFA is essential for protecting businesses of any size. Seatbelts save lives, and MFA saves businesses.
MFA for Small Businesses
Small businesses often avoid MFA due to perceived costs or complexity. However, services like Microsoft Entra make it simple for employees to use and offer additional features like self-service password resets. This not only improves security but also cuts down on the time and money spent on resetting passwords through a service provider.
As a virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO), I help small businesses implement MFA, enhance security, and find cost savings. For example, by reducing the need for support calls, businesses can offset the cost of MFA and increase their peace of mind.
MFA for Medium Businesses
Medium-sized businesses may already have some MFA in place, but is it enough? If your MFA only covers certain services, like email, while leaving remote desktops unprotected, your network is still at risk. A poorly implemented MFA system that constantly prompts users is also a sign that something needs to be optimized.
Your vCIO
As your vCIO, I ensure that all authentication points are covered by MFA, improving security without disrupting daily operations. A smooth, well-implemented system should feel like a seatbelt—always there, but barely noticeable.
Ready to protect your business? Contact Clark B. Lebarge today to explore how MFA can safeguard your IT environment, prevent credential theft, and help your business thrive online.