Salesforce Certified Identity and Access Management Practice

Why is Multi-Factor Authentication considered essential for security?

1. It solely relies on a single password for access

2. It ensures users only access the system within office hours

3. It requires additional verification beyond just a password

4. It simplifies the login process for all users

The correct answer is: It requires additional verification beyond just a password

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is considered essential for security because it adds an extra layer of protection to the authentication process. By requiring additional verification beyond just a password, MFA significantly mitigates the risk of unauthorized access. Even if a password is compromised, an attacker would still need another form of verification—such as a text message code, authentication app output, or biometric data—to successfully gain access. This complex approach to security makes it much harder for malicious actors to breach user accounts. In contrast, relying solely on a single password (the first choice) makes an account vulnerable to attacks like phishing or credential stuffing. Access limitations based on time, such as ensuring users only access the system within office hours, don't inherently enhance authentication security and may inadvertently hinder user access when legitimate usage outside these hours is needed. Meanwhile, while simplifying the login process could improve user experience, it does not address security concerns and may inadvertently compromise account protection. Hence, the focus on requiring multiple forms of verification distinguishes MFA as a vital security measure.