Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) & Why We Need It

Ransomware attacks on schools cost $3.56 BILLION in 4 years

Multi-factor Authentication (or Two Factor Authentication) is a system in place to further protect unwarranted access to your email address by way of alerting you and requiring a second form of identification that it is you trying to log in. This may be a notification on your phone, a fingerprint scan, or a USB key specifically for this purpose.

You've likely heard on the news about companies getting hacked, about hundreds of users/shoppers personal info being stolen by hackers around the world. So let's say that Amazon gets hacked, and you use the same password for your Amazon account as you do for your school email. Without MFA, you are at a huge risk to getting your email address hacked, which opens up opportunities for our school to become a victim of an attack.

But why attack schools?

Schools are generally at risk for multiple reasons - we have access to a lot of personal information (each child's name, address, and social security number) which are prime targets for identity thefts, our security can sometimes be lacking due to funding, and most school staff aren't trained to deter cybersecurity attacks.

Ultimately, the reality is that hackers are a potential risk that come with moving towards an online system and curriculum, just as a fire would be a risk in a home. To protect against a fire, you might have fire safety training, put important documents in a fire-proof safe, and have insurance. MFA is one of our fire-proof safes!

Sign up for MFA today!