As Data Privacy Week brings renewed focus to cybersecurity practices, Bit-Wizards is warning local businesses that relying solely on passwords to protect accounts is no longer sufficient.

• The Managed IT company points to industry reports showing that more than 80% of data breaches involved stolen or weak credentials, prompting its recommendation that businesses adopt multifactor authentication and comprehensive IT practices.

Multifactor authentication, known as MFA, adds verification layers beyond a simple password by requiring two or more authentication factors to verify a user’s identity. The most common types include knowledge factors such as passwords, PIN codes or security questions; possession factors like authenticator apps, one-time passcodes, emails, text messages or hardware; and biometric factors including fingerprints, facial scans or voice recognition.

Brian Schlechter, Bit-Wizards’ Director of IT, said the additional security measure is highly effective at reducing costly incidents.

“Getting your password isn’t enough for hackers if you use MFA,” Schlechter said. “Requiring two separate pieces of information increases the difficulty of getting into your accounts.”

As a managed IT service provider, Bit-Wizards offers solutions that extend beyond MFA implementation.

• “We use MFA, enterprise-grade firewalls, VPNs, and so much more to offer a more complete solution,” Schlechter said. “Our team looks over your situation, implements the best combination of strategies, and provides thorough help desk support every step of the way.”

The company notes that MFA can help businesses detect suspicious activity early, as unusual verification requests can alert users and administrators to potential breaches before damage occurs. According to the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, accounts using MFA are 99% less likely to be compromised than password-only systems.

Businesses interested in strengthening their data protection and authentication strategies can contact Bit-Wizards to schedule a security assessment or learn more about best practices.