In the cybersecurity industry, we use several tools to keep networks and data secure. Two of the most important are multi-factor authentication (or MFA) and least privilege access. These are both ways of keeping would-be hackers from breaching your network, but they come at it from slightly different angles and are best used in tandem.

Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication refers to a layered approach to securing data and applications in which the system requires users to present a combination of two or more credentials to verify their identity for login. For example, entering your login credentials and then a 6-digit code sent to your phone as a text message or to your email address.

Even the strongest credentials can become compromised and social engineering scams are more prevalent than ever, which is why it is critical to enable multi-factor authentication. It may feel like a pain to have to verify your identity via phone, SMS, or email, but it is the best way to prevent a cybersecurity breach due to a compromised password.

The Principle Of Least Privilege

Least privilege access, based on the Principle of Least Privilege, requires that user accounts and processes are only given access to the privileges necessary to perform their intended function. For instance, a user account that only transcribes phone messages should only be able to access and launch the application(s) necessary to do that. It should not be able to perform other functions such as installing new software or accessing employee records.

RAVENii Cybersecurity Solutions

RAVENii recommends and can assist with doing an assessment of your environment before trying to apply a solution. Several factors need to be considered before purchasing & implementing an MFA tool.

• Scope: What systems and what users will it be enabled for?
• Risk: What are the risk implications if MFA is not deployed?
• Compliance: What will the requirements for compliance and consequences for non-compliance be?
• Configuration: Are all systems, like the exchange cloud for O365, configured properly?

Additionally, RAVENii’s Vulnerability Management Solution provides visibility into your network so you can manage and measure your cyber risk. This vulnerability analytics solution is built on leading technology to give you a comprehensive view of your attack surface so you can discover unknown assets and prioritize vulnerabilities within your network.

RAVENii’s Vulnerability Management Solution will provide:

• Access to advanced analytics, user customizable dashboards, reports, and workflows;
• Access to real-time insight to help prioritize patching;
• Access to vulnerability prioritization to determine the likelihood a vulnerability will be exploited in your unique environment;
• Continuous asset discovery capabilities for all mobile devices, physical, virtual and cloud instances on the network, including unauthorized assets;
• Capabilities to perform non-credentialed and credentialed scanning for deep analysis and configuration auditing;
• Capabilities to perform agent-based scanning for mobile and hard to reach assets;
• Access to compliance validation of business defined standards, industry standards and regulatory mandates, such as CERT, DISA, STIG, DHS CDM, FISMA, PCI DSS, HIPAA/HITECH, etc.
• Vulnerability advisory and monthly review.

For more information about cybersecurity and vulnerability management solutions from RAVENii in Kansas City and nationwide, click here or call (844) 317-0944 today.