Which statement about multi-factor authentication (MFA) is true?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security mechanism that strengthens access control by requiring multiple forms of verification before granting access to an account or system. The correct statement indicates that MFA requires two or more factors to achieve authentication.

This is significant because it adds an additional layer of security beyond just a username and password. For instance, in a typical MFA setup, the user might need to provide something they know (like a password) and something they have (like a smartphone that generates a time-sensitive code). By combining different types of information—often categorized into knowledge, possession, and inherence—MFA mitigates risks such as password theft, phishing attacks, and other forms of unauthorized access.

This approach contrasts with the other statements, which either misrepresent the requirements of MFA or suggest that MFA is not needed for secure access, which is not accurate considering the current landscape of cybersecurity threats. Having robust authentication processes, including MFA, is a best practice for protecting sensitive information and maintaining security compliance in cloud environments like AWS.