MFA

What Is MFA?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security method that requires users to verify their identities using two or more forms of identification. These forms can include passwords, fingerprints, smart cards, and biometric recognition, and they can be combined in various ways to enhance the security and reliability of user accounts.

What Is the MFA Process?

The MFA process is consistent with whether a user is logging into an application, service, or network device. Using an application as an example, the process typically involves the following steps: The user logs in to the application. First, the user enters login credentials, usually an account and password, for initial authentication. After successful authentication, the user is prompted to submit a second form of authentication. The user enters the second form of authentication into the application for secondary authentication. At this point, if only two forms of authentication are configured and the second authentication is successful, the user is granted the corresponding system operation permissions. However, if three or more forms of authentication are configured, the user needs to submit identity information as prompted. The corresponding system operation permissions are granted only after all forms of authentication are verified.

Why do we need MFA ?

With the advancement of global digitization, communication, shopping, and office work via computer networks are gradually becoming mainstream. However, cybercrimes, with increasingly complex attack vectors, have been on the rise in recent years. This has led to more severe security-related economic losses. Therefore, securing enterprise information, personal information, and network devices is critical.

One important task is to verify the identity of anyone wishing to access applications, services, and network devices. However, a defense mechanism that relies solely on one form of identification is weak and risky. This underscores the urgent need for MFA to fulfill its role. The most common and straightforward access control method is to use MFA to verify a user's identity, thereby enhancing account security and reliability.

Advantages of MFA

Improved security is clearly the primary advantage of MFA. In today's digital age, service providers and enterprises are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks. Attackers steal identity credentials to infiltrate enterprise intranets, which can lead to significant losses. MFA addresses this by adding an extra security layer between attackers and enterprise networks, requiring additional forms of identification beyond just usernames and passwords.

MFA also makes it challenging for attackers to hijack accounts even if they obtain the login password, as they still need another identification factor to gain access. Furthermore, MFA has broad applicability. Given the widespread use of smartphones, service providers and enterprises are implementing MFA using smartphone technologies such as positioning and facial recognition in systems, applications, and even on VPNs connected to enterprise intranets to enhance network security.