In multifactor authentication, what are the three categories of verification?

Multifactor authentication (MFA) enhances security by requiring multiple forms of verification before granting access to a system. The correct answer identifies the three primary categories of verification used in MFA: knowledge factors, possession factors, and inherence factors.

The first category, "what you know," typically refers to something the user knows, such as a password or a personal identification number (PIN). This forms a basic layer of security, as it is something that is supposedly only known to the user.

The second category, "what you have," involves something the user possesses, like a physical token, a smartphone for receiving a one-time passcode (OTP), or a smart card. This serves as an additional verification layer, as the user must physically have this item to complete the authentication process.

The third category, "what you are," pertains to biometric verification methods, such as fingerprint recognition, facial recognition, or iris scans. This aspect of authentication relies on unique physical characteristics of the user, providing a robust means of confirming identity since these traits are difficult to replicate or steal.

By combining these three categories, multifactor authentication significantly strengthens security beyond simple password-based systems, making unauthorized access notably more difficult.