Understanding Authentication: 2FA, MFA & Biometric Security

In an era of rising cyber threats and digital transformation, authentication is more than just a login process - it's the front line of defense for personal and organizational security. As traditional password-based systems fall short, modern authentication methods like two-factor (2FA), multi-factor (MFA), and biometric verification offer scalable, secure solutions for businesses and individuals alike. This article explores each method, compares their strengths, and explains how biometric MFA is shaping the future of digital identity protection.

What is authentication?

Authentication is the process of verifying that someone is who they claim to be. It forms the backbone of cybersecurity, ensuring that access to data, systems, and resources is granted only to authorized individuals. Traditionally, authentication relied on a single factor: something the user knows (like a password). However, with the growing sophistication of cyberattacks, single-factor methods are increasingly vulnerable to phishing, brute-force attacks, and credential stuffing.

Modern authentication methods enhance security by combining multiple factors: something you know, something you have, and something you are. This is where 2FA, MFA, and biometrics come into play.

2FA, MFA, and biometric authentication 

For most, trying to remember a password at a moment’s whim is tiresome and impracticable. 2FA (2 Factor Authentication), MFA (Multi-factor Authentication), and biometric authentications are practices that offer convenience for your customers and employees while increasing security measures to protect their sensitive information. These protocols are established to protect a user’s password as well as the resources that they can access.

2FA

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security process that requires users to provide two different authentication factors to gain access to a system or an account.

The first factor is usually something the user knows, such as a password, PIN, or security question. The second factor is something the user has, such as a physical token, smart card, or mobile device that can receive a one-time password (OTP). The idea behind 2FA is that even if an attacker manages to obtain the user’s password or other first-factor information, they would still need to possess the second factor to gain access.

There are several different types of 2FA, including SMS-based codes, mobile apps, hardware tokens, and biometric authentication. Each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, and organizations should carefully consider their specific needs and risks when selecting a 2FA solution.

MFA

Multiple factor authentication (MFA) is a security process that requires users to provide more than two authentication factors to gain access to a system or an account and introduces a biometric component.

The different factors of authentication include:

1. Something the user knows, such as a password, PIN, or security question.
2. Something the user has, such as a physical token, smart card, or mobile device that can receive a one-time password (OTP).

3. Something the user is, such as biometric authentication, like fingerprint or facial recognition.

These layers make it much more difficult for an attacker to gain unauthorized access to a user’s account or system, as they would need to have access to multiple authentication factors.

MFA provides an additional layer of security compared to traditional single-factor authentication methods, such as using only a password.  

Implementing an MFA requires careful planning and consideration of the specific risks and needs of an organization. It may involve selecting and integrating different authentication factors, as well as designing appropriate policies and procedures to manage the authentication process. Protecting this sensitive data, such as financial or personal information, is often required by industry regulations or compliance standards.

To shield your company with the highest level of security combine traditional multi-factor authentication with biometric liveness detection.

Biometric authentication

Biometric authentication refers to the process of using unique physical or behavioral characteristics of an individual to verify their identity. These characteristics can include things like fingerprints, facial features, iris/retina patterns, voice, and even DNA.

The process of biometric authentication involves capturing the biometric data of an individual, which is then compared to a pre-existing record of that individual’s biometric information stored in a database.

If the captured data matches the stored data, the individual is granted access or verified. The use of biometric authentication has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its convenience and security. It eliminates the need for users to remember passwords or carry around physical tokens, and it can be more difficult for someone to fake or steal biometric information compared to traditional forms of authentication.

However, there are also valid concerns around the privacy and security of biometric data, as it is highly personal and can be used for malicious purposes if it falls into the wrong hands.

Therefore, it is important for organizations implementing biometric authentication to ensure proper security measures including data encryption, decentralized storage, and confidential computing are in place to protect the biometric data of their users

Watch our biometric authentication in-action:

Identomat demoed its Biometric MFA solution at FinovateSpring in May 2022. The video recording of the on-stage demo can be viewed here.

The demo showcased a solution for a self-service secure password recovery use case. This particular implementation first creates a person’s biometric profile by extracting PII (personally identifiable information) data points from an individual’s government-issued ID and biometric information from their liveness check session.

Identomat’s identity-proofing software will then compare the picture on the photo ID to the person’s selfie extracted from the liveness video and determine if it’s a good match or not. If approved, their user profile with their biometric pattern is successfully created.

If the individual ever needs to reset their password, they receive an email with a link to self-reset the password. However, the password reset dialog is not available until the individual passes the liveness check, during which the biometric pattern is compared with the saved one. If it is a precise match, the user can continue the password reset process, but if it is assessed to be a poor match, the user is denied and redirected to the alternative methods.

Identomat strikes the delicate balance between convenience and privacy.

Authentication comparison: 2FA vs MFA vs biometric MFA

Choosing the right authentication for your business 

When selecting an authentication strategy, businesses must consider the sensitivity of their data, compliance obligations, and user experience. While 2FA may be sufficient for low-risk applications, MFA and especially biometric MFA offer the layered protection necessary for today’s threat landscape.

Takeaways

As digital threats continue to escalate, relying on passwords alone is no longer tenable. Two-factor and multi-factor authentication raise the security baseline, but the integration of biometric verification offers unmatched precision and user convenience. Identomat’s biometric MFA solution exemplifies the next generation of secure identity verification - balancing privacy, compliance, and innovation for a safer digital future.