What is meant by authentication factors in identity management? Authentication factors are the characteristics or elements that are considered in determining whether the individual seeking access to information assets is authentic. It is a means of proving they are who they say they are, and not a fraudulent actor attempting to gain access to someone else's account.
Typical authentication factors fall under the following categories:
- Personal - something you know (password, phrase or pin number)
- Human - something you are (fingerprint, retinal scan or other biometric identifier)
- Technical - something you have (id card or security token)