What does 'multi-factor authentication' require?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires two or more verification methods for confirming an individual's identity before granting access to a system or resource. This approach significantly enhances security by combining different types of authentication factors, which typically fall into three categories: something you know (like a password or PIN), something you have (such as a security token or smartphone app), and something you are (biometric verification like fingerprints or facial recognition).

By integrating multiple forms of verification, MFA ensures that even if one factor is compromised, unauthorized access is still prevented as the attacker would require additional authentication factors. This layered security approach greatly reduces the risk of data breaches and enhances overall protection compared to systems relying solely on a single verification method.