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Authentication Factor

What is Authentication Factor?

A category of credential used to verify identity, including knowledge factors, possession factors, and inherence factors like biometrics.

Information Security

Frameworks that govern authentication factor

ISO 27001:2022View framework →NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5View framework →

What the standards actually require on authentication factor

Requirements naming authentication factor across 5 standards, quoted from the control text.

PCI DSS 4.08 controls

Strong cryptography is used to render all authentication factors unreadable during transmission and storage on all system components

8.3.2 · Strong cryptography is used to render all authentication factors unreadable during transmission and storage on all system components →
Australian Information Security Manual3 controls

Where software allows an authentication factor to be reset, the user is notified of the reset through a secondary channel.

ISM-2047 · Where software allows an authentication factor to be reset, the user is notified of the re →
AWS Well-Architected Security Pillar1 control

Enforce MFA, strong password policies and phishing-resistant authentication factors for all human users accessing AWS, including IAM Identity Center and federated identities.

SEC02-BP01 · Use strong sign-in mechanisms →
CMMC 2.01 control

Require more than one authentication factor for privileged account access both locally and across the network, and for non privileged account access across the network.

IA.L2-3.5.3 · Multifactor Authentication →
ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications1 control

Security Dimension 2 Authentication per X.805 Clause 6.2: Authentication ensures the validity of the claimed identities of the entities participating in communication (e.g.

X805-Dim2-Authentication-Identity-Verification-Claimed-Identities-Entities-Communication · ITU-T X.805 Security Dimension 2 - Authentication + Identity Verification + Claimed Identity + Entity Authentication + Data Origin Authentication + Mutual Authentication + Multi-Factor + Cryptographic Authentication →

Questions people ask about authentication factor

What is Authentication Factor?
A category of credential used to verify identity, including knowledge factors, possession factors, and inherence factors like biometrics.
Why is Authentication Factor important for compliance?
Authentication Factor is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding authentication factor helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Authentication Factor?
Authentication Factor appears in the requirement text of PCI DSS 4.0, Australian Information Security Manual, AWS Well-Architected Security Pillar, CMMC 2.0, ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications. Across these standards we have identified 14 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Authentication Factor?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how authentication factor applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how Authentication Factor applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

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Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.