Two-factor authentication isn’t a panacea for all potential threats to your data, but it does provide an extra layer of protection—which is essential, given the escalation of online risks. This ebook outlines the basics of 2FA that all security pros and users need to know.

From the ebook:

How does two-factor authentication work?
Two-factor authentication requires, along with a password, a second form of identity verification. After successfully logging in to an account with a password, the user is prompted to either confirm their identity using a one-button push with a verification app or input a random security code from a text, email, push notification, or physical key.

The second factor is, ideally, harder to spoof than a password; it requires something the legitimate user has physical access to, like a smartphone with a particular authenticator app installed, a linked phone number for a push notification or SMS authentication code, or a hardware security key, which leaves a hacker stuck even if they have the correct password to the account. Two-factor authentication is available for Apple ID, Google, Facebook, and Twitter accounts, bank websites, and other services—it’s often as simple as enabling the option.

If your business is looking for a two-factor authentication provider, there are a lot of options. Once you select a 2FA provider, users can expect to use biometrics (like Touch ID and Face ID), authenticator apps, SMS authentication, email authentication, or a physical security key to authenticate an account with an authentication code.