Multi-Factor Authentication: Introduction

Setting Up and Implementing MFA in Your Firm * Generating a Temporary Login Code

Thomson Reuters strongly recommends that you use multi-factor authentication to provide the highest level of security for your firm and client data.

What is Multi-factor Authentication?

Multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security that helps protect your firm's confidential data. Many of your online accounts or software applications are currently protected by a login and password. That password is the single factor in the authentication process — the way that those applications or services confirm your identity.

Multi-factor authentication adds at least one more layer of identity verification to that process so your protection against hacking and fraud attempts is stronger and more secure than a simple password. That additional layer can take many forms, such as a physical ID card, a digital confirmation code, or even your fingerprint. You use multi-factor authentication every time you pay a transaction using a debit card or withdraw cash from an ATM: your debit card is one factor and your PIN is another.

How Does MFA Work?

Thomson Reuters provides multi-factor authentication through the Thomson Reuters Authenticator application. After installing the mobile application on your smartphone and pairing that device with your application login credentials, you'll use the Authenticator to confirm your identity every time you log in to the Thomson Reuters RS system. You do so via a notification that is sent to the Authenticator mobile application, which you can quickly approve on your mobile device.

Software that works with Thomson Reuters Authenticator allows you to authenticate on three levels:

Something you KNOW (your login and password)
Something you HAVE (your mobile device with the Thomson Reuters Authenticator application)
Something you ARE (your fingerprint, if your device has Touch ID enabled)

Using multi-factor authentication makes it difficult for anyone else to use your login, as any would-be hacker must either have your mobile device at hand. If you decide to enable fingerprint authentication, hacking becomes impossible.