A
- Access Control
- Agile Development
- AI Analytics
- AI Marketing
- Anomaly Detection
- App Code Obfuscation
- App Security
- Application Development
- Application Hardening
- Application Infrastructure
- Application Management
- Application Modernization
- Application Programming Interface (API)
- Application Security Testing (AST)
- Application Transformation
- Applied Artificial Intelligence
- Artificial Intelligence
- Asset Management
- Authentication
- Authorization
- Automated Machine Learning
- Automation Solutions
B
- Behavior-Driven Development (BDD)
- Behavioral Analysis
- Big Data
- Big Data Analytics
- Big Data Visualization
- Binary Analysis
- BlueOps Vulnerabilities
- Bug Bounty Programs
- Build Automation
- Building Analytics
- Building Management System
- Building Technologies
- Business Analytics
- Business Continuity Planning
C
- Chatbots
- CI/CD Tools
- Cloud Configuration
- Cloud Consulting
- Cloud Infrastructure
- Cloud Managed Services
- Cloud Management
- Cloud Migration Solutions
- Cloud Security
- Cloud Workspace
- Code Analysis Tools
- Compliance
- Configuration Management
- Container Security
- Continuous Delivery (CD)
- Continuous Deployment
- Continuous Integration (CI)
- Continuous Monitoring
- Conversational AI
- Credential Management
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
- Cryptography Compliance Audits
- Customer Experience Strategy
- Customer Intelligence
- Cyber Security
D
- Data Analytics
- Data Loss Prevention
- Data Migration
- Data Platform
- Data Privacy
- Data Science
- Data Transformation
- Deep Learning
- Denial of Service (DoS)
- Dependency Scanning
- DevOps
- DevSecOps Pipeline
- Digital Engineering
- Digital Forensics
- Digital Transformation
- Disaster Recovery
- Distributed Version Control System (DVCS)
- Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)
E
- Embedded Engineering
- Encryption Key Management
- Endpoint Security
- Energy data analytics
- Energy Management
- Enterprise Application Services
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
- Enterprise Service Management (ESM)
- Ethical Hacking
- Event Logging
- Exploit Development
F
- False Positive
- File Integrity Monitoring
- Fileless Malware
- Firewall Configuration
- Forward Chaining Rules
- Fraud Detection
- Fraud Intelligence
- Fuzz Testing
- Fuzzy Logic
G
H
I
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Incident Response
- Industrial IoT (IIoT)
- Industry 4.0
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
- Infrastructure Security
- Innovation Product Design
- Innovation Product Development
- Integration Testing
- Intelligent Automation
- Intelligent Process Automation
- Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST)
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Internet of Things Platform
- Internet of Things Strategy
- Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
- IT/OT Convergence
J
- Jailbreaking
- Jamming Attacks
- Java Security
- JSON Web Tokens (JWT)
- Julia Programming Language
- Just-In-Time (JIT) Compilation
K
- Kernel Security
- Key Management Service (KMS)
- Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA)
- Kubernetes Security
L
M
- Machine Learning (ML)
- Malware Analysis
- Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks
- Marketing Analytics
- Marketing Automation
- Marketing Technology
- Memory Protection
- Microservices
- Mobile Applications Security Testing (MAST)
- Mobile Device Management (MDM)
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
N
- Natural Language Processing (NLP)
- Network Intrusion Detection
- Network Segmentation
- Neural Network
- Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW)
- NIST Compliance
- Non-Repudiation
O
- OAuth Protocol
- Obfuscation Techniques
- Offline Authentication
- Omnichannel Commerce
- Omnichannel Customer Experience (CX)
- Omnichannel Marketing
- Open API
- Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP)
- Open-Source Security
- Operational Efficiency
- Operations Intelligence
- Operations Strategy
- Orchestration Tools
- Out-of-Band (OOB) Authentication
P
- Patch Management
- Penetration Testing (Pen Testing)
- Phishing Detection
- Pipeline as Code
- Port Scanning
- Privileged Access Management (PAM)
- Process Analysis
- Process Automation
- Process Innovation
- Process Mapping
- Process Technology
- Protocol Analysis
Q
- Quality Assurance (QA)
- Quality Engineering and Assurance
- Quality Management Services
- Quantum Cryptography
- Quarantine Procedures
- Query Injection
R
- R Language
- Ransomware Protection
- Red Team Assessments
- Remediation
- Remote Collaboration
- Risk Assessment
- Risk Assessment Automation
- Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
- Rootkit Detection
- Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP)
S
- Sandbox Environments
- Secure Coding Practices
- Security Automation
- Security Awareness Training
- Security Champions
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
- Security Orchestration
- Security Posture
- Shift-Left Security
- Smart City
- Smart Home
- Smart Manufacturing
- Smart Meters
- Smart Products
- Smart Spaces
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Software Composition Analysis (SCA)
- Software Defined Networking (SDN)
- Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
- Static Application Security Testing (SAST)
- Structured Data
T
- Telehealth
- Telemedicine
- Test Automation
- Test-Driven Development (TDD)
- Thick Data
- Threat Hunting
- Threat Intelligence
- Threat Modeling
- Tokenization
- Trade Finance Process Automation
- Trojan Detection
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
U
- UEFI Secure Boot
- Unified Device Management
- Unified Threat Management (UTM)
- Unstructured Data
- URL Filtering
- User Behavior Analytics (UBA)
- User Experience Design
- User Provisioning
V
- Vendor Risk Management
- Version Control Systems
- Virtual Reality (VR)
- Virus Scanning
- Voice Biometrics
- VPN Configuration
- Vulnerability Assessments (VA)
- Vulnerability Management
- Vulnerability Remediation
W
- Web Application Firewall (WAF)
- Web Security Standards
- White Box Testing
- Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
- Wireless Security
X
Y
Z
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Simple Definition for Beginners:
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security method that requires users to provide two or more forms of verification to access an account or system, typically combining something they know (e.g., a password) with something they have (e.g., a mobile device) or something they are (e.g., biometric data).
Common Use Example:
When logging into an online banking account, users may need to enter their password (something they know) and then confirm their identity using a one-time code sent to their mobile phone (something they have) to complete the authentication process.
Technical Definition for Professionals:
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), also known as two-factor authentication (2FA) or strong authentication, enhances security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of evidence to verify their identity before granting access. Key aspects of MFA include:
- Authentication Factors:
o Something you know (e.g., password, PIN)
o Something you have (e.g., smartphone, hardware token, smart card)
o Something you are (e.g., fingerprint, facial recognition, voice pattern)
- MFA Methods:
o One-time codes sent via SMS, email, or authenticator apps (e.g., Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator)
o Hardware tokens or smart cards that generate authentication codes
o Biometric authentication using fingerprints, facial recognition, or voiceprints
o Geolocation checks to verify the user’s physical location
o Time-based OTPs (One-Time Passcodes) generated by authenticator apps or devices
- Workflow:
o During login, users enter their username and password as the first authentication factor (something they know).
o They then provide a second factor (something they have or something they are), such as entering a code from their mobile device or scanning a fingerprint.
o If both factors match the user’s credentials and are verified, access is granted.
- Security Benefits:
o Increases security by adding an additional layer of protection beyond passwords, reducing the risk of unauthorized access due to stolen or compromised credentials.
o Mitigates various security threats, including phishing attacks, credential stuffing, and password theft.
o Enhances compliance with regulatory requirements and security standards that mandate strong authentication practices.
- User Experience:
o Balances security with usability by providing convenient and user-friendly MFA methods, such as push notifications, QR code scanning, or fingerprint recognition.
o Offers flexibility for users to choose MFA methods that suit their preferences and devices.
Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication strengthens security defenses, safeguards sensitive data, and reduces the likelihood of account compromise in today’s evolving threat landscape.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
