ITGSS Certified Technology Specialist

Two-factor authentication is considered an effective strong authentication method because it enhances security by requiring two separate forms of identification before granting access to an account or system. This typically involves something you know (such as a password) and something you have (like a smartphone or a hardware token that generates a unique code). The combination of these two factors significantly reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access since even if one factor (the password) is compromised, the second factor provides an additional layer of protection.

In contrast, using easily guessable passwords, sharing passwords with coworkers, and disabling authentication for convenience all expose systems to higher risks of unauthorized access. Easily guessable passwords can be easily cracked or guessed by attackers, sharing passwords diminishes accountability and increases the chance of them falling into the wrong hands, and disabling authentication undermines the security framework entirely. Therefore, two-factor authentication stands out as a best practice in securing sensitive information and systems.