# Multi-Factor Authentication

> URL: https://www.atlantic.net/about-us/whitepapers/multifactor-authentication/ | Updated: 2026-09-16

## What Is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?

This whitepaper provides a comprehensive overview of multi-factor authentication (MFA), a critical security practice that adds multiple layers of protection to user logins and access to sensitive IT infrastructure.

## Key topics covered

- Two-factor authentication (2FA): a security practice that requires the user to provide something they know (password) and something they have (physical device or code).
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA): similar to 2FA but with an additional layer such as a fingerprint or retinal scan to further secure login access.
- SFA vs. 2FA vs. MFA: a comparison of the security levels offered by single-factor authentication (SFA), 2FA, and MFA, highlighting the advantages of 2FA and MFA in protecting against unauthorised access.

## Download this helpful guide to:

- Understand the importance of MFA in today's cybersecurity landscape.
- Learn the differences between SFA, 2FA, and MFA.
- Discover best practices for implementing MFA in your organisation.