Some data breaches result from the theft of a user’s login credentials. To keep your business safe, you need to implement a two-factor or two-step authentication process. These authentication methods may sound the same, but they are two vastly different processes. Read on to learn the differences between two-step authentication and two-factor authentication. If you want to improve your business’s cybersecurity, you should take a closer look at your authentication process. Two-step and two-factor authentication are two of the most commonly used authentication methods. Many businesses use the terms two-step and two-factor authentication interchangeably, but there are subtle differences between the two. A two-step authentication process requires a single-factor login (such as a password or biometric reading) as well as another similar type of login credential that a user must provide. This process typically requires entering a password for the first step and entering another security code for the second step, which may be accomplished by providing a one-time code generated by an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator. Two-step authentication adds an extra step in the verification process, making it more secure than single-step authentication (i.e., providing only a password). However, if a person or business is hacked, it won’t be enough to stop hackers from getting a hold of whatever they are looking for. Two-factor authentication, a subset of multifactor authentication, is significantly more secure than two-step authentication. This type of authentication requires two different types of information to authenticate a user’s identity. For example, it could be a combination of a fingerprint or retinal scan as well as a password or passcode. Because of the additional authentication information required, hackers would have great difficulty breaking into a network using a two-factor authentication system. Relying on a single-factor authentication process is no longer sufficient in ensuring the safety of your network. Securing the authentication process and making it difficult for cybercriminals to access your network should be on top of your priorities. Deciding whether to use two-step or two-factor authentication largely depends on your business’s specific security requirements. To take the stress out of securing and protecting your network, call us today for expert cybersecurity advice.
Two-step authentication
Two-factor authentication
Which one is better?
Swift Chip is your IT partner in business growth and profitability. We love our clients—and here’s why they love us too:
Get this NEW release book on Amazon that basically takes the wisdom from some of the most well-known writings about warfare, political intrigue, martial arts, history, and strategy and applies it to modern-day cybersecurity. The tools and techniques have changed, but the primary principles remain the same in protecting modern data systems.
Buy NowWe believe that “small things do count”, so we have built some initiatives in our business to help others less fortunate than us. One of these is that we’ve partnered with an organization committed to planting trees and saving lives in the process. Eden Reforestation Projects reduces extreme poverty and restores healthy forests by employing local people to plant millions of trees every year. The way it works, is that whenever we finish working on a service request for you – our system sends a quick 15 second survey (yes, it honestly takes 15 seconds) to find out how we did and to make sure we’re keeping our support levels world class. For every completed survey, we plant 8 trees (through Eden Reforestation Projects). Here’s a quick video to see the impact they’re making. It’s our goal to plant 24,000 trees in 2022 and we’ll need your help.
Donate