Table of Contents
What is a Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
The number of businesses that give their employees remote or hybrid working opportunities has increased during the past few years. However, remote work also means having easy access to company files, data, contracts, and much other confidential information to make working from anywhere easier. Additionally, remote work implies that employees must conduct meetings and communicate with partners and customers via online communication platforms.
The transformation to an online working environment has increased the risk of cyber-attacks and the possibility of losing data to third parties. To ensure that the data is secured, many businesses started looking for ways to add extra layers of security to their online accounts. One way is the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), which grants access to company data only to those who are able to verify their identities and prove they are from within an organization.
What is Outlook Web App (OWA)
Outlook Web App (OWA) is an online communication platform; however, many businesses have started to use this application due to the promise of having full privacy when communicating via the app. This feature has attracted many businesses to use OWA as their main communication platform.
However, even though privacy is ensured, it does not mean that an OWA account is protected from cyber-attacks. For that, it is essential to connect an OWA on premises MFA to each employee’s account to prevent confidential communication from being leaked.
How connecting an MFA with Outlook Web App can prevent Ransomware
In general, when a multi-factor authentication application is connected to a platform, managers will be at peace with knowing that their data is secured.
The multi-factor authentication allows people to insert as many layers of security questions as they would like. By answering, they will verify their identities and get access to the content of an account, alongside preventing ransomware on their accounts.
There are numerous ways that employees can insert additional layers of security using an MFA; for instance, they can secure their accounts by requesting a one-time code to be sent to their mobile phones, doing fingerprint scans, or face recognition. By inserting this information into the MFA and connecting it to an Outlook username, whenever someone tries to hack their account, they will not be able to get past the MFA security and, in the end, will not be able to get access.
How to install and connect an MFA application to Outlook Web App
1. Research and find the best-suited MFA application for an organization’s culture
The most important steps of integrating and connecting an MFA application are the first and the second. Using an MFA application is different from one application to another as each has different operating methods. Some MFA applications require high technical knowledge, making them somewhat complicated to use it.
Thus, managers should dedicate some additional time to researching the best-fitted MFA application for their organization.
2. Apply for a domain account for the business
After the MFA application is installed, a domain or admin account should be created. The admin account is the domain to which all company accounts will be connected. Not everyone should have access to the domain account, as this account is responsible for allowing certain usernames to access company data.
Some MFA applications require users to apply with a form for a company domain account. So, whatever the case, ensure that you insert the details correctly to get approval for the account.
3. Connect employee’s OWA usernames to the MFA admin account
Now that a company admin account exists, managers need to give access to company Outlook usernames to use the MFA application. The admin account gives this access.
4. Choose the type of second authentication method provided by the MFA application
When each employee connects their account to the MFA, they will need to choose the second authentication method they would prefer when they sign in to their accounts.
5. Test to see whether the MFA is working properly
After employees set up and connect their usernames to the MFA application, they will successfully add an extra layer of security to their accounts.
Nevertheless, it is important that employees test and see whether the MFA application is working properly by trying to sign into their accounts using another device.
Conclusion
To conclude, the amount of confidential data available online is increasing daily, and the potential of losing this data could cause harm to a company’s reputation.
A username and password are not enough to protect all available data; thus, connecting an MFA to online platforms is crucial for identity verification.
