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According to the Cyber Readiness Institute , when we dive deeper into the details , there are three key barriers to MFA adoption :

Lack of awareness – 55 % of SMBs are reported to remain unprotected because they ’ re simply unaware of MFA and its benefits to their organisation .

Limited understanding – Beyond a lack of awareness , 30 % of business owners said they don ’ t utilise MFA because they simply don ’ t know how it works . In addition to the fundamental functionality , there are a variety of MFA options to consider , including a range of form factors that can be utilised to best meet an organisation ’ s needs .

Perceived inconvenience – 20 % of SMBs believe MFA is too inconvenient , when in reality , we ’ re all more familiar with the concept than we think .

How smaller businesses can best implement MFA

In the rapidly evolving threat landscape , SMBs must find ways to better protect themselves and their sensitive information . MFA can serve as a fundamental piece of a larger cybersecurity puzzle for small and medium businesses by allowing them to quickly and easily increase security and convenience .

For example , implementing MFA allows these organisations to eliminate reliance on passwords , which not only increases security , but also improves user experience . In addition , MFA facilitates a safer remote and / or hybrid work environment so employees can securely access necessary information from a variety of locations and devices .

So , what should decision-makers know about MFA for their SMB ? Take a look at these guidelines to help find the right technology solution and provider for your needs : and use across the organisation . After all , this added security measure is there to provide assurance and convenience – not to make life more difficult .

• Multiple methods and form factors – Determine the best combination of authentication methods and form factors . Some providers offer only a small selection , which can tie you down to very basic and inflexible options that do not fully meet your unique needs .

• Easy deployment and management – Time is money , especially for SMBs . Some solutions can take months to deploy , require extensive training and new installation codes , as well as potential overhauls to existing applications . Look for a solution that can be up and running in days .

• A complete solution – Any MFA solution should provide comprehensive security across all of your assets , including your PCs , mobile devices , applications and networks .

• Compliance – Compliance impacts businesses of all sizes , particularly those in regulated industries . As such , be sure to find a provider that meets evolving industry standards , including data protection such as GDPR and CCPA .

• Adaptability – As your business grows , your security needs will also evolve , with some users or parts of your business requiring more security than others . Make sure your provider allows you to scale and adjust accordingly .

Leading and growing a smaller business is a big challenge . Fortunately , adopting MFA provides a safety net to help thwart cybercriminals , protect your business ’ reputation and most importantly , help protect your bottom line . �

Andrew Bull – Senior Director Regional Sales EMEA in HID IAMS

• Ease of use – The right MFA solution should offer a variety of authentication methods but should also be easy to adopt