What It Is
According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Multi-factor authentication is a layered approach to securing data and applications where a system requires a user to present a combination of two or more credentials to verify a user’s identity for login. MFA increases security because even if one credential becomes compromised, unauthorized users will be unable to meet the second authentication requirement and will not be able to access the targeted physical space, computing device, network, or database.
Why It’s Important
The CISA says that implementing MFA makes it more difficult for a threat actor to gain access to business premises and information systems, such as remote access technology, email, and billing systems, even if passwords or PINs are compromised through phishing attacks or other means. Adversaries are increasingly capable of guessing or harvesting passwords to gain illicit access. Password cracking techniques are becoming more sophisticated and high-powered computing is increasingly affordable. In addition, adversaries harvest credentials through phishing emails or by identifying passwords reused from other systems. MFA adds a strong protection against account takeover by greatly increasing the level of difficulty for adversaries.
How It Works
MFA requires users to present two or more authentication factors at login to verify their identity before they are granted access. Each additional authentication factor added to the login process increases security. A typical MFA login would require the user to present some combination of the following:• Something you know: like a password or Personal Identification Number (PIN);
• Something you have: like a smart card, mobile token, or hardware token; and,
• Some form of biometric factor (e.g., fingerprint, palm print, or voice recognition).
For example, MFA could require users to insert a smart card or a bank card into a card reader (first factor) and then enter
a password or a PIN (second factor). An unauthorized user in possession of the card would not be able to log in without
also knowing the password; likewise, the password is useless without physical access to the card.