Software Architect's Handbook

What is multi-factor authentication (MFA)?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra level of security. In multi-factor authentication, a person has to present two or more authentication factors. The variation of multi-factor authentication in which only two authentication factors must be presented is called two-factor authentication (2FA). The following are different types of authentication factor:

• Knowledge factor: Something the person knows, such as a password or PIN
• Possession factor: Something the person has, such as a cell phone that can receive a code or a company identification card that can be swiped
• Inherence factor: Something the person is, using such as using a fingerprint scanner, palm reader, retina scanner, or some other ...