What is a significant risk associated with the absence of multi-factor authentication in cloud services?

The absence of multi-factor authentication (MFA) in cloud services significantly raises the risk of unauthorized data access. MFA enhances security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of verification before accessing sensitive information or systems. This could include something they know (like a password) and something they have (such as a mobile device for a one-time code) or something they are (like a biometric factor).

Without MFA, a single compromised password can grant malicious actors easy access to accounts and sensitive data. This lack of an additional layer of security makes it much easier for unauthorized users to exploit vulnerabilities, leading to potential data breaches, loss of sensitive information, and significant financial and reputational harm to organizations. Thus, emphasizing the importance of implementing MFA is crucial for protecting cloud services against unauthorized access.