Usernames and passwords have long been the standard when it comes to authentication, but it’s become very clear that this approach to security is fundamentally broken. The good news? Modern authentication technologies are making it possible to secure access in new ways and finally leave passwords behind. MFA leads the way The secret to doing away with the current approach to user access lies in multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA reduces the security risks inherent to single-password authentication solutions by soliciting at least one more security factor. Common examples include a One-Time Pin (OTP) via SMS or voice, specialized mobile apps, and fingerprint scanners. When it comes to these factors, though, there is a sliding scale of assurance. Some of these are quite obviously more secure than others: Least secure: Knowledge factors, like your password and secret question. If anyone knows, guesses, or harvests this information, your identity is.