Starting in July 2024, multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be mandatory for all Azure users.
What is MFA?
MFA requires users to provide two or more pieces of evidence to verify their identity before accessing a service or resource. It adds an extra layer of protection beyond the standard username and password authentication.
Why is MFA important?
Enhanced Security: MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
Effective Defense: According to Microsoft, MFA can block over 99.2% of account compromise attacks.
Phishing Prevention: It helps prevent unauthorized access due to phishing, credential stuffing, and other attacks.
What to Expect
The rollout will be gradual and methodical to minimize impact on your use cases.
You’ll receive specific roll-out dates via direct emails and Azure Portal notifications in the coming months.
Take Action Now
If you prefer not to wait, you can set up MFA now using our recommended solution:
Even if they don’t fall under the umbrella of the company’s core capabilities, we must address many critical issues when running a corporation. IT compliance is one such issue. This month we have been discussing compliance and how critical it is to your organization over the past few weeks.
What Is IT Compliance?
A recent blog post of ours provides an informative explanation of IT compliance. Adhering to the rules, regulations, and specifications established by a third party aims to lower the risk for your company and permit you to operate in the area or sector under their authority.
What Distinguishes IT Compliance from IT Security?
Another phrase we are all familiar with is “IT security,” particularly today when online fraud, data breaches, and other assaults are so common. In a recent blog post, we outlined the contrasts between IT security and compliance and some of their shared characteristics.
The Parallels
Many people find compliance and security perplexing, and some believe them to be the same thing. This confusion makes sense because both pertain to protecting your company in a dangerous online environment. Both lower your company’s risks and make it easier for you to operate safely.
To win and keep your client’s trust, compliance and security are essential. You can attract clients and establish a solid reputation much more quickly if you can show that your system is safe and complies with all applicable legal and industry standards.
The Distinctions
One distinction between IT compliance and IT security is that the former is carried out to satisfy the demands set forth by a third party, while the latter is to secure one’s business or enterprise. The goal of IT security is to keep your system as secure as possible, so it typically incorporates far more stringent safety measures and protocols.
Another distinction is that although compliance is completed as soon as the asking party is satisfied, IT security is a continuous process that must be maintained around the clock. While security demands change to keep up with evolving hacker tactics, compliance standards remain consistent.
What Makes Compliance a Team Effort?
Businesses frequently assign compliance to just one person since many think it to be routine labor that only requires the minimal standards imposed by a third party. However, the duty to comply is far more important and complex than that. In yet another blog, we go over the reasons why compliance should be a team effort for every firm.
One of these is that many discussions must occur before complete compliance is good to go. Email encryption, data encryption, firewalls, backups, data availability, and storage are some of the most important topics to discuss. Your business may incur fines and penalties if any of these issues are not correctly handled. Even worse, it might expose security holes in your system that are simple for hackers to exploit.
We have a free Ebook you can use if you believe your business was hacked. Download it Free today!
Naturally, we don’t want things to get to that point. You must attempt to comply to reduce the likelihood of a breach happening. Expecting one person to accomplish this delicate isn’t realistic or wise. We strongly advise you to assign the task to a group of professionals who can ensure that all standards will be met, and that your company will be fully compliant in no time.
Call us right away, and we’ll set up a free session to discuss how we can help you.
The term “personally identifiable information,” or “PII,” refers to any information that can identify a particular person. If an unauthorized party steals your PII, it could use it for illegal activities such as breaking into secured areas, making unlawful transactions in your name, or even stealing your identity entirely. You must have some knowledge about protecting your personally identifiable information to prevent any unfortunate situations from occurring. Both online and offline executions of this procedure are required.
Physical Measures to Protect Your PII
Even though we now conduct most of our business online, if you are not vigilant, hackers can still access a lot of your physical data. Your name, address, and bank or credit card account numbers are all found on postal mail, account statements, and utility bills. As a result, you must protect these records from data thieves.
Discreet Storage
The secure storage of your papers is an important step in securing your personally identifiable information. Start by installing a lock on your mailbox, which is now required. You can also use a private PO Box where only you have access to your mail. It’s also wise to store your vital papers in a fireproof safe at home rather than a cardboard box or dresser drawer.
Look Over Your Mail
When you get your bills and account statements, look them over carefully to see if there are any strange charges. Even better, instead of waiting for the bill to arrive in the mail, you can check your statement online regularly. Because your PII is frequently included in mail, mail theft is a widespread problem.
Employ a Shredder
Even if you no longer need your bank statements or other financial records, never throw them away. Dumpster diving is a common habit among hackers as they look for any data that will aid in their nefarious activities. Purchase a personal shredder that you can use to dispose of confidential documents safely.
Keep Your PII Safe Online
Since practically everything is now online, hackers can access data much more easily. To protect your PII, you must navigate the web with extreme caution.
Select Reliable Passwords
Strong passwords combining letters, numbers, and other special characters will make them difficult to crack. For increased protection, change your passwords at least once every month.
Use Just One Credit Card
The likelihood that a hacker may use your cards for illegal activity increases with the more cards you use for online purchasing. Reduce this risk by using just one card, this will keep your PII safer and less likely to be stolen.
Browse With Care
Always be on the lookout when you are browsing the web, reading your email, or accessing your social media accounts. Ignore pop-ups and don’t click on dubious links or attachments as they almost certainly contain malware.
PII: What to Do If You Believe You Have Been Hacked
Even if you have taken all the precautions to protect your data, there are some important things that you need to address immediately. We firmly advise that you adhere to our 10-step action plan rather than erupting into a full-blown panic. The advice in our Free ebook will put you on the path to recovery much more quickly and give you a decent chance of recovering your data and restoring total control of your network, even if you might initially feel helpless. Check out the many helpful tools we have by giving us a call, if you want to learn more about securing your network and safeguarding your personally identifiable information.
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