Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) vs Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
In an effort to make password authentication more secure it is necessary to implement technology to strengthen the process.
Simply put, 2FA requires 2 layers of authentication. The first layer consists of the user ID and password. If successful, the second layer will direct the user to enter a security token to complete the authentication.
MFA may define more authentication checks. After successfully entering the user ID and password the user is then directed to defined sequences of authentication checks that may include tokens, biometrics or geographical information. The use of MFA is necessary in organizations in need of securing sensitive data.
It is important to note that multi-factor and multi-layer or not the same. Multi-layer consists of two layers of the SAME type of authentication such as a password or secret question. Multi-factor combines at least one of each type of authentication, which will be something you know and something you have.
Access to your organization’s critical resources requires protection. User name and passwords are not good enough. Using passwords as your only form of authentication is a huge security risk that can lead to phishing attacks, spoofed emails, credential stealing and more. Implementing a second, or third, layer of authentication can help to insure that your organization’s resources are more secure.