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    Glossary
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multi-factor authentication

Abbreviations / Acronyms / Synonyms:

Definitions:

  The means used to confirm the identity of a user, process, or device (e.g., user password or token).
Sources:
CNSSI 4009-2015 under authenticator

  Authentication using two or more factors to achieve authentication. Factors include: (i) something you know (e.g. password/personal identification number (PIN)); (ii) something you have (e.g., cryptographic identification device, token); or (iii) something you are (e.g., biometric). See authenticator.
Sources:
CNSSI 4009-2015 under multifactor authentication

  An authentication system that requires more than one distinct authentication factor for successful authentication. Multifactor authentication can be performed using a multifactor authenticator or by a combination of authenticators that provide different factors. The three authentication factors are something you know, something you have, and something you are.
Sources:
NIST SP 1800-17b under Multifactor Authentication
NIST SP 1800-17c under Multifactor Authentication

  Authentication using two or more factors to achieve authentication. Factors are (i) something you know (e.g., password/personal identification number); (ii) something you have (e.g., cryptographic identification device, token); and (iii) something you are (e.g., biometric).
Sources:
NIST SP 1800-12b under multifactor authentication

  Something that the claimant possesses and controls (typically a cryptographic module or password) that is used to authenticate the claimant’s identity. This was previously referred to as a token.
Sources:
NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 under authenticator

  An authentication system or an authenticator that requires more than one authentication factor for successful authentication. Multi-factor authentication can be performed using a single authenticator that provides more than one factor or by a combination of authenticators that provide different factors.
Sources:
NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 from NIST SP 800-63-3

  The three authentication factors are something you know, something you have, and something you are. See authenticator.
Sources:
NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5

  Authentication using two or more different factors to achieve authentication. Factors include something you know (e.g., PIN, password), something you have (e.g., cryptographic identification device, token), or something you are (e.g., biometric). See authenticator.
Sources:
NIST SP 800-172

  Authentication using two or more different factors to achieve authentication. Factors include something you know (e.g., PIN, password), something you have (e.g., cryptographic identification device, token), or something you are (e.g., biometric).
Sources:
NIST SP 800-172A under multifactor authentication

  Authentication using two or more factors to achieve authentication. Factors include: (i) something you know (e.g., password/personal identification number [PIN]); (ii) something you have (e.g., cryptographic identification device, token); or (iii) something you are (e.g., biometric).
Sources:
NIST SP 1800-27B under Multifactor Authentication
NIST SP 1800-27C under Multifactor Authentication from CNSSI 4009-2015

  Authentication using two or more different factors to achieve authentication. Factors include something you know (e.g., PIN, password); something you have (e.g., cryptographic identification device, token); or something you are (e.g., biometric). See authenticator.
Sources:
NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 under multifactor authentication