What is Single Factor Authentication?

Single Factor Authentication (also called SFA or one-factor authentication) is a method for verifying a user’s identity that requires only a single piece of verifiable information. This information can be either a knowledge factor (such as a password or PIN) or an inherent factor (such as a fingerprint). However, there are authentication methods that offer greater security than SFA.

SFA: How It Works

The user enters a verifiable piece of information, such as a password or fingerprint. The system then compares the entered information with the stored authentication data. If the data matches, the user is granted access; otherwise, access is denied.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

Simplicity and user-friendliness.
Quick implementation.

Disadvantages:

Lower security compared to multi-factor authentication, as only one piece of information needs to be compromised.

The SFA method is frequently used when shopping in online stores, where the user logs in only with their username and password. The more sensitive the data being processed, the higher the level of protection should naturally be. For online banking, at least two-factor authentication is therefore required.