Which of the following is a key benefit of multi-factor authentication?

• A. Increased data storage
• B. Enhanced password strength with multiple verification methods
• C. Faster access to systems
• D. Reduced software costs

Answer: (B)

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) significantly enhances security by requiring users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to a resource. This approach combines something the user knows (like a password), something the user has (such as a smartphone or hardware token), and sometimes something the user is (biometric data). The key benefit of MFA is that it makes it much more difficult for unauthorized individuals to access sensitive information or systems, even if they have one of the verification factors, such as the password. This multi-layer approach adds substantial security, reducing the risk of breaches caused by stolen or compromised credentials.

Using multiple verification methods hinders attackers who might have only one piece of information, as they would need to bypass additional layers of security to gain access. This is particularly important in today's threat landscape, where phishing attacks and password theft are common.