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USDA Releases Success Story Detailing the Implementation of Phishing-Resistant Multi-Factor Authentication

Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released Phishing-Resistant Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Success Story: USDA’s FIDO Implementation. This report details how USDA successfully implemented phishing-resistant authentication for its personnel in situations where USDA could not exclusively rely on personal identity verification (PIV) cards. 

USDA turned to Fast IDentity Online (FIDO) capabilities, a set of authentication protocols that uses cryptographic keys on user devices, to offer a secure way to authenticate user identities without passwords. USDA’s adoption of FIDO highlights the importance of organizations moving away from password authentication and adopting more secure MFA technologies. 

This report offers examples to help organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture through use cases, recommended actions, and resources. USDA successfully implemented MFA by adopting a centralized model, making incremental improvements, and addressing specific use cases. Organizations facing challenges with phishing-resistant authentication are encouraged to review this report. 

For more information about phishing-resistant MFA, visit Phishing-Resistant MFA is Key to Peace of Mind and Implementing Phishing-Resistant MFA

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Kenya Education Network CERT(KENET-CERT) is a Cybersecurity Emergency Response Team and Co-ordination Center operated by the National Research and Education Network of Kenya. KENET-CERT coordination center promotes awareness on cybersecurity incidences as well as coordinates and assists member institutions in responding effectively to cyber security threats and incidences. KENET-CERT works closely with Kenya's National CIRT coordination center (CIRT/CC) as a sector CIRT for the academic institutions. KENET promotes use of ICT in Teaching, Learning and Research in Higher Education Institutions in Kenya. KENET aims to interconnect all the Universities, Tertiary and Research Institutions in Kenya by setting up a cost effective and sustainable private network with high speed access to the global Internet. KENET also facilitates electronic communication among students and faculties in member institutions, share learning and teaching resources by collaboration in Research and Development of Educational content.