Making University Digital Resources Safer with Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication, or MFA for short, makes university digital resources a lot safer. It does this by adding extra security steps beyond just using passwords.

Why is this important? Well, regular passwords can be weak. In fact, studies show that more than 80% of data breaches happen because of weak or stolen passwords. By using MFA, universities can really help protect against these problems.

1. Extra Security Steps

• MFA asks users for two or more ways to prove who they are before they can log in. This means that even if someone gets your password, they still need another piece of information, like a one-time code sent to your phone.
• The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) says that MFA can stop 99.9% of account hacking attempts.

2. Following the Rules

• Many rules and guidelines suggest or require MFA to protect important information. For instance, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a law that helps keep student records safe, and MFA can make that even stronger.
• When universities use MFA, they show that they care about following these rules, which helps them avoid legal trouble.

3. Changing How People Use Technology

• Studies show that when people learn about MFA, more of them start using it. Educational campaigns about MFA can lead to a three times increase in people signing up for it.
• A survey by Microsoft found that while 47% of people use MFA, those who learned about its benefits were twice as likely to turn it on.

In summary, multi-factor authentication is an important part of keeping university systems safe. It improves security, helps universities follow important rules, and encourages a smarter, security-aware mindset among users.