What does Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) require for access?

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) requires two or more verification factors for access, making it a robust security measure. The core concept of MFA is to enhance security by combining different types of authentication methods, which typically fall into three categories: something you know (like a password), something you have (like a smartphone or a hardware token), and something you are (like a biometric characteristic such as a fingerprint or facial recognition).

By utilizing multiple factors, MFA significantly reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access. For instance, even if a malicious actor manages to obtain a password, they would still need the additional factor—such as a verification code sent to the user's registered device—to gain access. This layered defense makes it much more challenging for attackers to compromise accounts.

While biometric verification can be one method used within MFA, it does not encompass the full scope of multi-factor mechanisms since MFA includes a broader range of authentication methods. A backup code serves as a fallback and can be part of an MFA strategy but is not enough on its own to define the entire concept. Therefore, the requirement for multiple verification factors is what accurately characterizes Multi-Factor Authentication.