What is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?
Typically, these factors fall into three categories: something you know (like a password), something you have (like a smartphone or security token), and something you are (like a fingerprint). By requiring two forms of verification, 2FA adds an extra layer of security, making it significantly harder for unauthorized individuals to access accounts or sensitive information, even if they have the user’s password.
Two Factor Authentication (2FA) Benefits
- Safety & Security: While 2FA and MFA assist businesses in preventing or reducing fraud, customers and users can also benefit from greater security. 2FA demands significantly more data and effort on the part of the intruder to gain access to a customer’s account.
- Monitoring of access: Aside from increased security management, 2FA typically includes multiple device access monitoring and network access limiting. This means you can restrict access to your accounts to specific PCs, mobile phones, locations, or networks. A 2FA event will be generated if the stated parameters are not met upon login.
Authentication Methods for 2FA
Two-factor authentication has been around for a while and adds an extra layer of protection to the login process. 2FA adds a second factor to the username/password combination. To comprehend the two-factor authentication procedure, you must first understand how users are authenticated. There are three main approaches:
- Knowledge – information known only by the user, such as the login and password
- Possession – something a user possesses, such as a mobile phone, physical card, or security token
- Inherence – a feature that is unique to that user, such as a fingerprint or other biometric property
Two-factor authentication combines two of the mechanisms mentioned above. In most cases, two-factor authentication combines knowledge and possession. This is due to the high cost and complexity of implementing inherence. Furthermore, end users have a difficult time using biometric scanners.
Two-factor authentication involves something the user possesses and something the user knows when using the first two approaches. The user’s smartphone will produce a pass code, which will be delivered via SMS, secure email, or voice.
The following are the several token techniques for obtaining a pass code:
- SMS
- Voice
- Smart phone
- PC or Mac
Overview of Two Factor Authentication in BDRSuite
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is a critical security feature integrated into BDRSuite to enhance the protection of your backup data and ensure secure access to BDRSuite Backup Server, Offsite DR Server and BDRCloud. Two Factor Authentication helps safeguard your data by ensuring that only authorized individuals with both the correct login credentials and a emailed verification code can log in successfully.
Enhanced Access Security: Two Factor Authentication adds an extra layer of security to your BDRSuite account beyond the traditional username and password. Once 2FA is enabled, each BDRSuite user needs to add their mail to enable email authentication as the second factor.
Protecting Against Unauthorized Access: 2FA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if a malicious actor gains access to your login credentials. It ensures that only authorized personnel can access your BDRSuite environment.
Easy Configuration: BDRSuite makes it easy to set up 2FA for your account. Users can enable 2FA and configure email to enable email verification method.
Flexible Application: 2FA can be applied to both user access and administrator access, providing a flexible security solution for all levels of your BDRSuite environment.
Compliance and Best Practices: Implementing 2FA aligns your backup and recovery processes with industry compliance standards and best security practices, helping to safeguard your data against breaches and data loss.
How does 2FA work in BDRSuite
- The user logs in to the BDRSuite console with their username and password
- The backup server validates the password, and if it is correct, the user is qualified for the second factor
- Then the backup server delivers a one-time code to the user’s email address, which was specified during the 2FA setup
- The user authenticates themselves by entering the unique code delivered to their email address
Example of Two Factor Authentication in BDRSuite
- User initiates login: The user attempts to log in to the BDRSuite backup server console by entering their username and password, ensuring the initial layer of security.
- Email with OTP sent: Upon successful entry of the username and password, the system recognizes the user and triggers the next security step. An email containing a One-Time Password (OTP) is promptly sent to the user’s registered email address.
- User retrieves OTP: The user checks their email and retrieves the OTP provided in the message.
- OTP verification: The user enters the OTP into the BDRSuite login interface.
- Successful verification: If the entered OTP matches the one sent via email, the system verifies the user’s identity, confirming the authenticity of the login attempt.
- Login granted: With both the correct username/password combination and the valid OTP, the user is successfully granted access to the BDRSuite backup server console. This two-step authentication process enhances the security of the login procedure, ensuring that only authorized users with both the correct credentials and the dynamically generated OTP can access the system
How to Enable Two factor Authentication
- Navigate to Backup Server Tile -> Two Factor Authentication page
- Click on the “Configure SMTP Settings” button and provide the necessary details
- Click on the “Enable Two Factor Authentication” check box
- Login to the BDRSuite console once more and provide the email address to which the verification code should be delivered. Users must enter an email address for the first time, which can be changed later
- By following the above steps, 2FA would be successfully configured for the BDRSuite backup server
Note: Additionally, 2FA can also be enabled at the user level. Users can be created and configured for 2FA by navigating to Backup Server -> Users page.
Two factor Authentication – FAQ
- 2FA necessitates the use of two authentication factors: something you know (such as a password) and something you have (such as a mobile device or hardware token).
- MFA combines three or more criteria, such as biometrics (fingerprint or facial recognition) and something you know, something you have, and something you are.
Level of Security:
- MFA provides a better level of security by adding additional stages of authentication, making it more resistant to potential breaches.
- While 2FA is more secure than a single-factor password, it is less secure than MFA because it relies on only two factors.
Use Cases:
- 2FA is often used for regular online services and applications to supplement password security.
- MFA is generally used in high-security environments, sensitive infrastructure, and scenarios where unauthorised access is a high danger.
Implementation:
- With only two elements to consider, implementing 2FA is relatively simple and user-friendly.
- MFA implementations can be more sophisticated, and advanced authentication methods such as biometrics or smart cards may necessitate the use of additional hardware or software.