Let’s be honest, passwords are a pain. You’ve probably forgotten one this week already. And when you do remember them, chances are they’re not as strong as they should be (yes, we’re looking at you, “Summer2025!”).

The problem is, passwords alone just don’t cut it anymore. Hackers are clever, and once they’ve got hold of one, they can often get into far more than you’d like. That’s where Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Single Sign-On (SSO) come in.

What is MFA?

MFA is like putting two (or more) locks on your front door. Even if someone has a copy of your key (your password), they’ll still need your alarm code (a text, an app notification, or even your fingerprint) to get in.

It’s simple, but incredibly effective. In fact, Microsoft reckons MFA can block 99.9% of account hacks.

What is SSO?

On the flip side, Single Sign-On is all about making life easier. Instead of remembering a different password for Teams, Outlook, your CRM, and whatever else you use daily, SSO gives you one secure login for everything.

Think of it as a master key, one click and you’re straight into your apps without the password circus.

Why Do We Need Both MFA and SSO

MFA keeps you safe, even if someone nabs a password, they’re not getting in. SSO keeps things simple, less password stress for staff and fewer reset requests for IT. Together, they balance security and convenience, no more choosing between one or the other.

What This Means for Your Business

The truth is that cyber criminals will always go after the easiest target. If your business still relies on just passwords, you’re making their job far too easy.

By setting up MFA and SSO, you’re protecting your data and making your team’s working day smoother. Less frustration, more productivity and a much smaller chance of waking up to a nasty cyber attack.

At Three Cherries, we’ve helped plenty of businesses across Bristol make the switch to MFA and SSO without the headaches. If you’d like to know what it could look like for your business, we’re here to chat. At Three Cherries, we take the gamble out of business technology.