Week Two - Cybersecurity Awareness Month

​Welcome to Week 2 of Cybersecurity Awareness Month! This week we focus on multi‑factor authentication (MFA), one of the simplest, most effective ways to secure your accounts.

What is MFA?

Multi‑factor authentication (MFA) strengthens your login security by requiring two or more pieces of evidence (called "factors") to verify your identity. Instead of relying solely on a password, MFA combines multiple types of verification:

• Something you know – a password, PIN, or security question
• Something you have – a smartphone, security token, or authentication app
• Something you are – a fingerprint, face scan, or voice recognition

By adding this extra layer, even if a cybercriminal steals your password, they still can't access your account without that second factor. It's like adding a deadbolt to your front door, one key alone isn't enough to get in.

The good news is your KCC account is already protected with MFA by default.

Although, most of KCC's users do not typically see a request for a second factor when logging into computing resources while on campus, all employees are asked for a second factor when logging into computing resources from remote locations such as home, hotels, coffee shops, etc.

Why MFA Matters?

• Stops most attacks: MFA can block over 99% of credential theft–based attacks  - Microsoft Security Blog, July 2019
• Protects sensitive information: It secures your personal data, financial info, and work accounts
• Simple to set up: Most major apps and services (like Microsoft, Google, and social media platforms) support MFA, often through built-in options like text codes or authenticator apps

Take Action This Week:

• Turn on MFA wherever it's available: personal email, banking, and other personal accounts. Remember MFA is already turned ON for your KCC employee account.
• Use an Authenticator App instead of text messages, when possible, it's more secure
  
• Update your recovery options to ensure you can always regain access safely
  

To enter the raffle, complete the quiz game, perform a screen grab of your game and attach it to an e-mail addressed to moconnor@kcc.edu. Winner will be announced on October 20th.