As of 2023, Figma continues to gain momentum in the collaborative design and prototyping market. Last year Figma generated 400 million dollars in revenue and showed 100% year-over-year growth. Figma is a browser-based collaborative interface design tool that has active four million users. This tool allows users to design, build, and prototype user interfaces and web applications, and users can collaboratively work on projects in real time. With Figma, companies can bring external and in-house teams together and offer them space to work on joint projects.
Inside the Figma ecosystem, external and internal teams can design, edit, and share projects in real-time, and this makes projects simpler to launch and manage for companies. Without a doubt, Figma brings many benefits to the table, but its collaborative nature raises serious security concerns for companies. While using Figma, companies can’t overlook the importance of secure access to Figma projects. Lacking security for Figma can put the integrity and confidentiality of projects at risk.
For enhanced Figma security, companies should follow best practices for Figma security and implement more advanced techniques than passwords. In this article, we will analyze the advanced techniques for safeguarding Figma accounts in depth. These techniques will allow your company to mitigate many security risks. Let’s look at advanced techniques and practices for Figma security.
1- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Counting on passwords for account security is an outdated approach because passwords can be compromised, and malicious actors can use these accounts to steal or leak projects, or damage designs. To fix the main security risks associated with passwords, all you need to do is enable two-factor authentication (2FA) from the account settings. Every user needs to enable 2FA individually for their accounts. After that, your Figma members will be required to authenticate their identities by passing two factors. These can be a combination of passwords and one-time passwords (OTPs), or verification codes. Unless malicious actors have the code or OTP, they can’t access the account.
2- Set Up Single-Sign-On (SSO)
Setting up single sign-on for Figma accounts can be supplementary to 2FA. SSO allows members to access their accounts using one set of credentials. When SSO and 2FA are used together, members need to use 2FA and SSO to access their accounts. By using these, organizations will strengthen access to Figma accounts.
3- Restricting Access On a Corporate Network
Restricting personal access on this network setting can be enabled by organization admins to prohibit unauthorized or personal Figma accounts from access to company projects. While this setting is on, only members that logged in with an account from the company’s domain or guests in the organization can access your Figma resources. This setting can be quite helpful as your members will be directed to switch to their work accounts.
4- Invest in A Professional Plan
Figma offers many features to users that subscribed to a professional plan. These accounts don’t have limits on creating design files, and they can see logins, and file history, and track modifications that are made to designs. For better control and efficient management, investing in a professional plan is essential.
5- Control Permissions
In Figma, you can invite external teams and freelancers as a guest and limit their reach in your Figma resources. Also, you can give permissions on a file level and prevent them from accessing the project. Another option can be to give access on a prototype level and prohibit viewers from accessing elementary design. Controlling permissions is a critical aspect of Figma security and your company should continuously review permissions, and avoid giving excessive permissions to employees and third-party partners. Auditing permissions are essential for data security. That’s why, your teams need to create a list of the invited individuals on Figma projects and keep this up to date and make changes accordingly. For instance, you can remove access to publicly available links when the task or project is over.
6- Have Ownership of the Project and Files
Your organization should have ownership of all projects and files. While collaborating with external teams, freelancers, or clients, you shouldn’t give them ownership of files because they can delete the project or damage it if somebody on their side has malicious purposes. That’s why, always having ownership of files and giving third-party partners limited access is important.
7- Back-Up Every Project
Backing up projects is essential and beneficial in many ways. First, keeping projects on a separate file system outside Figma will help restore data even if it is damaged or deleted. Secondly, in this file system, you can enforce even stricter access controls and permissions. Lastly, keeping former projects in the archive would be helpful when developers or designers need a reference.
8- Educate Employees About Figma Security and Cyber Threats
Educating employees about security policies and cyber threats is among the most important best practices for Figma security. Training them on these topics will help them understand the importance of security practices and become more aware of potential threats and avoid actions that can cause data breaches. While using collaborative tools, employees need to be more careful, and properly safeguard their accounts against cyber threats like phishing and social engineering. Today, implementing security policies and procedures helps companies secure their assets to an extent. To have robust protection, employees’ participation and adherence to security policies are required. That’s why employee training is essential.
Last Remarks
Nowadays, Figma is a popular browser-based collaborative interface design tool. It offers many benefits to organizations, but lacking security in this ecosystem can cause big trouble. Simply, companies should follow best security practices, and implement enhanced security techniques to protect Figma accounts. This way, organizations can mitigate risks and create robust security.