What is MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication)?
MFA requires at least two independent factors to sign in: something you know (password), something you have (phone or hardware key), or something you are (biometric).
MFA is the single highest-leverage control most small businesses can deploy. A Microsoft study found MFA blocks over 99.2% of automated account-compromise attacks. security reviewers in 2026 won't write a policy without MFA on at least email, financial systems, and admin accounts.
Not all MFA factors are equal. SMS codes are cheap but vulnerable to SIM-swap attacks, and most 2026 security renewal forms no longer accept SMS as MFA. Authenticator apps (Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator, Authy) are the floor; FIDO2/WebAuthn hardware keys (YubiKey) are the ceiling.
Enforcement matters more than availability - many breached organizations had MFA available but only enforced on a subset of accounts.
Why it matters for Florida small business
If your insurance renewal asks 'do you have MFA on every account?' the wrong answer raises review 14-30%. Hardware keys for admins is the 2026 baseline.
What to do
Roll out hardware keys (YubiKey 5C NFC) for every admin account this month. Authenticator app for everyone else. Disable SMS as a fallback on every system that allows it.