What does multi-factor authentication (MFA) require for access?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is designed to enhance security by requiring users to provide two or more different forms of verification before granting access to an account or system. This process increases the difficulty for unauthorized users to gain access, as it combines multiple avenues of authentication.

The correct answer, which highlights that MFA necessitates more than one form of verification, encompasses a variety of authentication methods. These can include something you know (like a password), something you have (such as a smartphone or hardware token), and something you are (like a fingerprint or facial recognition). By utilizing different categories of factors, MFA significantly strengthens the security posture of systems and accounts.

Other options do not adequately capture the essence of multi-factor authentication. For instance, multiple passwords pertain solely to knowledge-based factors and do not include other verification types. Relying solely on biometric data would not meet the criteria for MFA, as it represents just one authentication factor rather than multiple. Lastly, a single email confirmation, which is often seen as a less secure verification method, does not fulfill the multi-factor requirement, as it only constitutes one form of verification. Thus, the emphasis on requiring a combination of verification forms is what makes option B the accurate representation of MFA.