Synopsis: A two-person firm specializing in high-value hardware relied entirely on a single, complex spreadsheet hosted on Microsoft 365 for all its business operations. A security assessment by AFSecure identified this as a critical vulnerability; a single account compromise could lead to catastrophic data loss, theft of business secrets, or operational paralysis. By implementing a robust, phishing-resistant Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) solution using FIDO2 physical security keys, AFSecure eliminated this single point of failure. The solution provided the client with a high degree of confidence in their account security while maintaining the convenience essential to their workflow, ensuring business continuity and protecting their most critical asset.
Client Profile
The client is a two-person business that deals in slow-moving, high-value hardware. Over several years, they developed a highly customized spreadsheet that functions as the central nervous system of their entire operation. This single file handles everything from inventory tracking and sales forecasting to regulatory reporting, making it an irreplaceable, custom piece of software for the business.
- Company: Has elected to remain anonymous
- Location: Melbourne fringe, VIC, Australia
- Industry: Industrial Equipment Sales
The Challenge: A Single Point of Failure
The business leverages Microsoft 365 to host their critical spreadsheet, enabling real-time collaboration between the two partners. However, a security assessment conducted by AFSecure exposed a significant risk: the business was secured by a single factor of authentication—a password.
This presented several critical threats:
- Catastrophic Data Loss: An attacker gaining access to their Microsoft 365 account could delete, corrupt, or ransom the spreadsheet, effectively ending the business overnight.
- Theft of Business Secrets: Unauthorised access would expose sensitive operational data, forecasts, and client information.
- Inadequacy of Backups: While backups could restore a previous version of the file, they could not recover data entered between backup intervals or prevent an attacker from making subtle, undetected changes to financial data.
- Vulnerability to Common Attacks: Relying solely on a password left the business exposed to a wide range of common cyber threats, including phishing, credential stuffing (from other data breaches), and malware.
A more robust security solution was needed—one that was strong enough to protect their core asset but simple enough not to disrupt their agile, "grab a laptop and go" workflow.
The Solution: Implementing Phishing-Resistant Multi-Factor Authentication
AFSecure worked with the client to deploy a "Something You Have" authentication factor, recognized as the strongest defense against account takeovers. The chosen solution was the implementation of FIDO2-compliant physical security tokens.
Key aspects of the deployment included:
- Technology Selection: AFSecure selected an appropriate FIDO2 security key. This choice was based on its high security standard, cost-effectiveness, and local availability in Australia.
- Seamless Integration: The chosen security key a USB-C interface, which allowed for direct, dongle-free use with the partners' MacBooks, preserving the convenience of their existing setup.
- Redundancy and Business Continuity: Recognizing that a single key could be lost or damaged, AFSecure implemented a robust key management strategy. Each of the two partners received three separate security keys:
- One to carry on their person (e.g., on a keyring).
- A second key to be stored securely in the business's safe.
- A third key to be kept safely at home.
This multi-key setup ensured that a lost key would not result in being locked out of their critical accounts.
The Outcome: Confidence Through Robust Security
By moving from a vulnerable single-factor password system to a phishing-resistant FIDO2 MFA solution, the business achieved a dramatic increase in its security posture. The primary outcome was providing the partners with a high degree of confidence that their accounts were secure from unauthorized access.
The solution successfully addressed all the initial challenges:
- It protected their core business asset from unauthorised access, editing, or deletion.
- It mitigated the risk of being locked out of their own accounts.
- It was implemented without adding complexity or friction to their daily workflow.
The business can now operate with the assurance that its digital heart is protected by the gold standard in modern authentication security.