In the past, cybercriminals would break into business systems by force—exploiting firewalls, vulnerabilities, or physical access.
Not anymore.
Today’s hackers are walking in the front door with something far more dangerous: your login credentials.
This shift in tactics is called an identity-based attack, and it’s now one of the most common and effective ways hackers infiltrate businesses—especially small ones.
The Rise of Identity-Based Cyberattacks
According to cybersecurity reports, over two-thirds of serious security breaches in 2024 involved stolen credentials.
Even large enterprises like MGM and Caesars were hit by this type of attack. If companies with full-time cybersecurity teams can fall victim, imagine the risk for small businesses without dedicated protection.
How Hackers Are Getting In
Today’s cybercriminals don’t need to “hack” their way in. Instead, they rely on deception and stolen identities to bypass security.
Here are some of the most common methods:
- Phishing Attacks: Fake login pages and deceptive emails trick employees into entering their credentials.
- SIM Swapping: Hackers steal text-based two-factor authentication (2FA) codes by taking control of a user’s phone number.
- MFA Fatigue Attacks: Hackers bombard users with push notifications until someone mistakenly clicks “Approve.”
- Third-Party Access Exploits: Vendors, remote workers, or help desk tools are used as back doors into your system.
It’s not just your systems that are at risk—it’s every app, account, and connection your business relies on.
How To Protect Your Business From Identity-Based Attacks
The good news? You don’t need a massive IT budget to defend your company. These simple, effective steps can reduce your risk significantly.
1. Turn On Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
MFA adds a second layer of protection, requiring more than just a password to log in. But not all MFA is created equal.
- Avoid: Text-message-based MFA (easily intercepted)
- Use instead: App-based authentication or physical security keys
2. Train Your Team to Spot Threats
Security is only as strong as the people using it. Make sure employees know:
- How to identify phishing emails
- What to do if they suspect an attack
- Why they should never share credentials
Cybersecurity awareness training should be a recurring part of your IT strategy—not a one-time seminar.
3. Limit User Access
Give employees access only to the systems and data they need to do their jobs. That way, if an account is compromised, the damage is contained.
4. Use Strong Passwords—or Go Passwordless
Encourage secure password practices using a password manager, or better yet, eliminate passwords altogether with tools like:
- Biometric logins (fingerprint or facial recognition)
- Hardware-based security keys
- Single sign-on (SSO) platforms with strong authentication
Your Business Isn’t Too Small to Be a Target
Hackers don’t discriminate based on company size. In fact, small and mid-sized businesses are often their preferred targets—fewer defenses, more opportunities.
At Titan Technologies, we help New Jersey businesses put real protections in place without adding complexity or slowing your team down.
Find Out if Your Credentials Are at Risk
We offer a complimentary IT Risk Assessment to help identify vulnerabilities in your systems, credentials, and employee access policies. If you’re not sure whether your logins—and your business—are truly protected, now is the time to find out.
Schedule your free assessment today at www.TimeForTitan.com or call 732-972-6665.