Which practice is essential for securing customer access to cloud-stored data from mobile devices?

Utilizing multifactor authentication (MFA) is essential for securing customer access to cloud-stored data from mobile devices. MFA adds an additional layer of security beyond just a username and password. When accessing cloud-based data, especially from potentially insecure mobile devices, requiring multiple forms of verification significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

In a mobile context, users may be accessing sensitive data over public Wi-Fi or using devices that may be lost or stolen. MFA can involve various methods of verification, such as receiving a code via SMS, using an authentication app, or biometric recognition. This means that even if an attacker acquires the user’s credentials, they would still need the second form of authentication to gain access to the data, thereby enhancing security substantially.

While other practices mentioned, such as anti-virus software, implementing a VPN, and encrypting data at rest, are important and valuable security measures, they focus on different aspects of security. For instance, anti-virus software is crucial for preventing malware but does not directly manage user access. A VPN does provide a secure channel for data transmission but does not necessarily authenticate the user effectively. Encrypting data at rest protects the data itself, but without proper authentication, unauthorized users could still try to access it.

Therefore,