Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a method of computer access control that adds an extra layer of protection on top of your user name and password. With MFA a user is granted access only after successfully presenting several separate pieces of evidence to an authentication mechanism – typically at least two of the following categories: knowledge (something you know such as a password), possession (something you have such as a smart card or token), and inherence (something you are). The goal of MFA is to create a layered defense and make it more difficult for an unauthorized person to access a target such as a physical location, computing device, network or database. If one factor is compromised or broken, the attacker still has at least one more barrier to breach before successfully breaking into the target.
A good example from everyday life is the withdrawing of money from a ATM; only the correct combination of a bank card (something that the user possesses) and a PIN (personal identification number, something that the user knows) allows the transaction to be carried out.
Related Articles
BIO-key Introduces ID Director for SAML, Enabling Simple, Secure and Efficient Biometric Single Sign-On to Hundreds of Applications
RSA 2019 - SAN FRANCISCO and WALL, N.J., March 04, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIO-key International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKYI), an innovative provider of biometric authentication and security solutions, today announced the general availability of ID Director for SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language),
Averon and tyntec Join Forces, Announce Global Launch of Direct Autonomous Authentication®
MUNICH and SAN FRANCISCO, February 25, 2019 – tyntec, a global cloud communications provider, and Averon, developer of the world’s first fully automated security solution, today announced their strategic technology partnership. Leveraging tyntec’s extensive wireless carrier connectivity, the partnership will drive
BIO-key Secures more than $10M in Orders for its Biometric Security Software
WALL, N.J., Nov. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIO-key International, Inc. (Nasdaq: BKYI), an innovative provider of biometric software and hardware solutions for strong and convenient user authentication, announced today that it has secured in excess of $10 million in orders for
NEXT Biometrics and MTRIX Demonstrate Advantages Of New Biometric Software Development Platform at ITSA Trade Show
NUREMBERG, October 9, 2018 – NEXT Biometrics (Oslo Bors: NEXT), a global leader in fingerprint sensor technology, and MTRIX GmbH, a leading German distributor of authentication solutions, are demonstrating NEXT’s advanced biometric software development platform here this week at the
NY Regional Bank Selects BIO-key Biometric Authentication to Comply with New York State Department of Financial Services Cybersecurity Law
WALL, N.J., Oct. 04, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIO-key International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKYI), an innovative provider of biometric authentication and security solutions, today announced a regional bank serving customers throughout Long Island and neighboring New York City boroughs, has selected BIO-key to provide
Yubico Launches YubiKey 5 Series, the Industry’s First Multi-Protocol Security Keys Supporting FIDO2
PALO ALTO, CA and STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – September 24, 2018 – Yubico, the leading provider of hardware authentication security keys, today announced the launch of the YubiKey 5 Series, the industry’s first multi-protocol security keys supporting FIDO2/WebAuthn. With this new addition, the
