On the occasion of European Cybersecurity Month, the Center for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB), Febelfin and the Cyber Security Coalition are jointly launching an awareness campaign aimed at encouraging Internet users to firmly secure their accounts using authentication. two factors.
The goal of this campaign? Raise awareness among individuals, but also professionals, of the need to properly protect their accounts.
According to the three bodies, 80% of hacks could have been avoided thanks to this security method based on identity and access management which requires two forms of identification (fingerprint, SMS code, etc.). “When it comes to using online or mobile banking services, two-factor authentication has been necessary for a long time, but we now want to generalize it across all online platforms,” explains Karel Baert, the CEO of Febelfin.
“Indeed, two-factor authentication makes it seriously difficult for fraudsters to access personal data, even if they have the password.”
Several methods
Concretely, a simple way is the code generator which gives you access to a complex code valid for a short time. Another solution: after having entered your password, you can identify yourself with your fingerprint or by recognizing your face. The Itsme application, which is used by seven million Belgians, makes it possible to secure a series of accesses by requiring double authentication.
Last year, the hacking of several cities and towns was the subject of extensive media coverage. The personal accounts of certain mayors and personalities had not been spared. Passwords are regularly stolen and shared on the Internet (Editor’s note: password theft represents 29% of all ransomware attacks). “Our campaign has the sole objective of ensuring that all Belgians use two-factor authentication,” adds Miguel De Bruycker, general director of the CCB. “This is our great ambition. But we’re starting small. Literally, since we start in the smallest municipality in Belgium. The Safeonweb team went to Herstappe to inform residents there and help them activate two-factor authentication.”
Every day, a big cyberattack
“Herstappe is currently the safest municipality online in our country, but we hope that others will quickly follow suit,” says Phédra Clouner, deputy general director of the CCB. “We are now calling on all cities and towns, as well as businesses, organizations and schools to follow Herstappe’s example. Enable two-factor authentication and block access to cybercriminals.” Every day in our country, at least one company is the victim of a cyberattack with serious consequences. The common thread in many serious cyber incidents is the lack of two-factor authentication. “Today, we are also asking businesses to enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. I am convinced that this simple reflex will allow us to considerably improve cybersecurity in Belgium,” concludes Miguel De Bruycker.
