Three factor verification is a type of multifactor authentication (MFA). It has taken over from single and two-factor verification (2FA) in many industries.
It is sometimes known by its abbreviation – ‘3FA’.
- Single-factor verification requires one of the three authentication factors below.
- Two-factor verification requires two of the three authentication factors below.
- Three-factor verification requires all three authentication factors below.
What are Authentication Factors?
There are three authentication factors. There must be at least one element from each authentication factor for a system to be considered as having three-factor verification.
Knowledge Factors
Knowledge factors are something that you know.
An example of a knowledge factor would be your username, password, or even your pin number.
Possession Factors
Possession factors are something that you have.
An example of a possession factor would be a key fob, sim card, or even a smartphone to receive a one-time password (otherwise known as an OTP).
Inherence Factors
Inherence factors are something that you are.
An example of an inherence factor is any biological trait – this includes biometrics, retina scans, fingerprint scans, and even facial recognition.
A Fourth Verification Factor?
It is possible to add additional factors such as location or time to create a four-factor authentication (4FA), but these are not yet as common.
What Verification Factor do I need?
Naturally, it is best to have the highest level of verification for your login, especially if that login gives access to personal information, banking details, or even industry secrets.
However, you do need to balance that out with the practicalities of accessing your system and securing your system in other ways such as via your website hosting.
Remember that 3FA can be less secure than 2FA if poorly implemented.
If you are concerned about the security of your website, CRM, or business system, then get in touch with the team here at Digital Nachos.
Published: 1st Feb 2024