The Benefits of Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication

Imagine operating your practice without data. You use it for every aspect, from communicating with patients to collaborating with other practitioners.

Our world relies on data.

That’s why cybercriminals increasingly target it, and it is one of your business's most valuable assets. Data breaches are rising.

Yet there are ways to thwart criminal behavior. Providing an extra layer of security between you and hackers gives you a better chance of keeping your data safe. Multi-factor authentication can block as much as 99.9 percent of account compromise attacks. It’s time to take a step past passwords and move to the next level of security.

What is multi-factor authentication? 

Let’s start with two-factor authentication, the most common form of multi-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication requires two different methods to confirm a user’s identity. It asks for proof in several other formats, including:

  • Knowledge - a PIN, secret questions, etc
  • Physical assets - a card, app, email, etc
  • Personal item - fingerprint, voice, iris scan

You use two-factor authentication every time you shop. You scan your card, then enter a PIN. It slows criminal behavior because they must stretch beyond simply having a number.

Multi-factor authentication takes it a step further. Instead of two factors, you’ll be required to have three or more. More authentication may be necessary for highly sensitive data to ensure it stays secure.

Benefits of multi-factor authentication

The more security you have in place, the more protection you have. Yet the factors themselves are also important. Birthdates or your mother’s maiden name are easy to find online. Getting your fingerprint is much more difficult.

Because passwords are easy to crack, it’s increasingly important to move to other protection devices for highly-sensitive data. Multi-factor authentication provides the security necessary to elevate protection and be more assured the user in the system is rightfully there.

It can also increase workflow efficiency. By logging in and providing a fingerprint scan, you can make things like prescribing controlled substances easier.

Other considerations

It’s easy to build a secure environment, only to have it become burdensome and inefficient. If healthcare workers have too many authentication steps each time they need access, it can impede workflow or even impact patient care.

This is why it’s equally important to lay out all considerations before you fully building up your multi-factor authentication program.

  • Assess your needs to ensure authentication tools meet all present and future abilities.
  • Retain a flexible portfolio of authentication methods available to meet different needs.
  • Ensure every method you choose meets compliance standards.

In many cases, off-the-shelf won’t work. It might require more tools to keep every aspect of your practice fully functioning and efficient at the same time.

That’s where partnering with IT specialists can help.

You don’t know what you don’t know. IT specialists are trained in all aspects of IT. By finding and partnering with a service that understands your industry inside and out, you’re ensuring top-level security with the added bonus of being more productive in your daily tasks.

If you’ve never considered how multi-factor authentication can help your business, maybe it’s time.

For IT Strategy, Cloud Conversion, or Help Desk Services reach out to us at Silver Linings Technology 360-450-4759.