COVID-19 Outbreak Complicates the Security of Data for Businesses and Individuals

The COVID-19 outbreak is changing the way people work on a massive scale. To reduce the risk of contagion and to keep people healthy, much of the workforce is now utilizing remote access to their company systems and data.

Bluestreak | Bright AM’s ™ modern technology easily allows remote employees to work as if they were in the office, with all of their applications and information available. Businesses have always been able to run Bluestreak™ software on any mobile device from any location. This helps to free users from the confines of a traditional PC-based office.

Bluestreak™ helps prepare employees with the necessary knowledge to keep themselves and their company’s network safe under these unprecedented circumstances. By taking advantage of Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), businesses can protect sensitive data as employees continue to access and update real-time information from home.

Within the last decade, computer technology has evolved so rapidly that even the simplest computers now operate with huge processing power that makes it easier for hackers to decipher passwords in order to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. To improve and provide added security, a Two-Factor Authentication Code, a short numeric code that is sent directly to you to verify your identity, can be implemented.

Strengthen Cybersecurity With Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

2FA adds a second level of authentication to an account log-in. When you have to enter only your username and one password, that's considered a single-factor authentication. 2FA requires the user to have two out of three types of credentials before being able to access the system.

What is 2FA? The Three Types Are: 1. Something you know - certain knowledge is only known to the user, such as a user name and password. (Bluestreak™ has always had this).

2. Something you have - such as a six-digit authentication code from an app, token or fob. (Bluestreak™ will now require this).

3. Something you are - some physical characteristic of the user (biometrics), such as a fingerprint, retina/iris scan, voice, etc. (This option is not required by Bluestreak™ but some companies may choose to do this on their own).

The easiest way to implement this is to add a free app to a smartphone, iPad or tablet that will give them their unique 2FA code. The 2FA is only required ONCE per day per user device and browser combination. 

Watch a short informative video that will show you how you can set-up 2FA.

Starting May 1st, 2020, Bluestreak | Bright AM™ is implementing mandatory 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) in our AWS cloud hosting environment. This is required for all customers who access Bluestreak™ via the cloud. Existing customers on their own serves can also utilize 2FA to better protect their data.

As an added resource to help you and your employees better understand the benefits of 2FA, we are passing along this article for your review…  

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NIST PASSWORD GUIDELINES United States Department of Defense contractors that collect, store, or transmit Covered Defense Information (CDI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is required to comply with NIST compliance regulations 800-171. All prime contractors and their subcontractors must comply with NIST 800-171 or risk losing their corresponding government contract.