If you could make one change today that blocks the vast majority of account takeover attempts, it would be this one. Here's why it works, and where businesses leave gaps.
Multi-factor authentication asks for something beyond just a password — usually a tap of approval on your phone, or a one-time code. Even if a password is stolen through phishing or a data breach elsewhere, an attacker still can't get in without that second step, which they almost never have.
Passwords get stolen constantly — through phishing, reused across sites that get breached, or simply guessed. MFA doesn't stop the password theft, but it stops that stolen password from actually being useful to an attacker. It's the single highest-impact, lowest-cost security control most businesses can turn on.
| Account type | Commonly missed? | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Regular staff mailboxes | Usually covered | Often the first thing enforced |
| Shared/generic mailboxes | Often missed | A common blind spot in a phishing attack |
| Admin/IT accounts | Often missed | The highest-value target if compromised |
| Service accounts / integrations | Frequently forgotten | Rarely reviewed once set up |
MFA is one control among several worth checking — see our broader ransomware defence guide for how it fits alongside the others.
There's a small extra step at sign-in, but modern MFA (an app approval, not always a typed code) is quick, and most people adjust within days. The protection it adds far outweighs the minor friction.
It's one of the highest-impact controls, but not the only one needed — it works alongside patching, endpoint protection and training as part of a layered defence, not a replacement for the others.
Shared mailboxes, service accounts, and admin accounts are the most commonly overlooked — exactly the accounts an attacker would most want access to.
Book a free security assessment — we'll check for you, including the accounts people forget.
