What is Multi-Factor Authentication?
Static usernames and passwords no longer provide sufficient security against sophisticated cyber-attacks which is why the world is adopting MFA.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or Two-Step Verification is an electronic authentication method which reduces the risk of security breaches by requiring the user to present two or more pieces of evidence to prove their identity.
Evidence could be a pin or password, you may be notified via a different device such as a smart phone with push notifications, or via an app, or USB with a dynamically created number – or it could be something about you, like your fingerprint of facial recognition.
Evidence can be provided by an authenticator USB key or app on your desktop device, but usually it is provided with the use of a smart phone. The phone will have an app, which will prompt with a push notification or require a number to be input. The phone is then protected with biometric security, such as fingerprint or facial recognition.
CISCO DUO
One such app is Cisco’s Duo, which we have recently implemented at a high street law firm to further bolster their IT security across all internal and external authentication mechanisms. Duo can operate at many different levels, securing multiple services, and is accessible locally and remotely.
Users logging into their desktops/laptops require another layer of authentication provided by Duo. Similarly online services such as email and VPN access can only be authenticated with Duo. A service username and password is immediately followed by a Duo authentication request, provided by a smart phone push or a hardware device for the users without smart phones. The beauty of this level of security is that all authenticated services, including MS exchange are now protected with Duo MFA, regardless of the location.
Security resilience is integral to all businesses, none more so than legal firms whose requirement to secure personal and financial data is fundamental to their productivity and reputation.
To learn how we can help you give your business the security is needs please contact Richard.
By 2025 BT Openreach intends to switch off traditional landlines, which means now is the time to think about switching over to the alternative - VoIP, Voice over IP – routed through the Internet.
Providers will stop selling PSTN, the traditional public switched telephone network; this would be commonly your landline that currently provides you with telephone and landline services. ISDN products in 2023 and by 2025 PSTN will be completely phased out.
How does VoIP work?
Voice calls are transmitted over the internet using your broadband connection. This is a much more flexible approach to making calls and is therefore becoming the telephony industry standard.
Why VoIP is better than traditional landlines
1. VoIP is scalable and can support your business as it grows
2. It is a flexible solution that doesn’t tie you to one physical location – perfect as the world embraces remote and hybrid working
3. No initial on ongoing maintenance costs… great news as we are all seeing costs rise across the board
4. This is a future proofed solution
This change is happening so now is the time to plan your move. Keep an eye out for when fibre broadband becomes available in your area or ask Conformedia to check for you.
We’re here to make your transition smooth and hassle-free so give the team a call to arrange the change.
Don’t leave it too late – act now and be business ready for the Switch Off.
What is a PostScript Font?
PostScript Type 1 Fonts have been around since 1984 so it’s likely you’ll have some in your files. In just 2 months-time (January 2023) Adobe will stop supporting PostScript Type 1 Fonts. We’d strongly advise you to consider the impact this might have on your business once Adobe's support ends, and the apps you use every day no longer recognise them.
Identify and Replace PostScript Fonts
Identifying these fonts is relatively easy on a Mac or PC by using the font book app on a Mac, and the fonts control panel on Windows, but do you know what jobs or documents contain Postscript Type 1 Fonts? Applications like Extensis Connect Fonts and Connect Assets can help identify both, allowing you to start finding and changing these in advance, so not to impact your workflow once support ends.
Extensis Connect Fonts can help you identify your Postscript Type 1 Fonts and replace them with more modern alternatives like OpenType or TrueType Fonts which you can purchase or download for free from different foundries. Once you find the new fonts you would like to use, these can be added to Connect Fonts and activated so that when you discover a document containing your old Postscript Type 1 Fonts you can easily manage and replace them with the new alternatives.
If you have a Digital Asset Management System (DAM) you can take this a step further and take advantage by searching for Postscript Type 1 Fonts in your documents in advance and replace them. If you don’t already have a DAM system, then installing Connect Assets will help catalogue and identify which documents contain these fonts and then use Connect Fonts to replace and update them, saving you time.
Get in touch for more help and advice.
Some interesting resources and information can be found here:
