What are some Common Methods of Authentication?

Ok, if you have any conversations about cyber security (and of course you do, don’t you?), you’ll hear the term “authentication.” It sounds important, but what does it actually mean?

Authentication is a process to validate the identity of someone (or something). For this conversation we’re talking strictly in the cyber world.So let’s say you’re using a computer and want to connect with and use a resource that’s…somewhere else. And it’s operated by a completely different organization. How do they verify that you’re…you? There are several methods of Authentication. Let’s cover the most common:

• Something you know. The most common example would be a password.

• Something you have. A smart card. Another example would be a mobile phone that has an application on it.

• Something you are. Facial recognition, fingerprints, retinal scans.

So, wonder where we get multi-factor authentication from? It’s where we use 2 (or more) of these methods combined before we give access to important resources. Because the bad guys are good, and constantly improving. They’re fooling employees into giving away their passwords. They’re getting better at compromising text messaging, and biometric scanning, although significantly improved, still has its challenges.

That’s why MFA, or multi-factor authentication is so critical. Without it, the bad guys only have to compromise one set of protection to get access to your stuff.

Only one? C’mon…don’t you want to make ‘em work for it? Contact us if you have any questions!