Multi-factor authentication requires two or more independent factors to log in — typically something you know (password), something you have (phone or token) and something you are (biometric). Two-factor authentication (2FA) is simply MFA with exactly two factors. The point is that even if a password is stolen, the attacker still can't get in without the second factor.

They're not equal. SMS one-time passcodes are better than nothing but can be intercepted or SIM-swapped. Authenticator apps and push notifications are stronger. Phishing-resistant passkeys and FIDO2 hardware keys are strongest, because they can't be tricked into approving a fake site. The right choice depends on each user group's risk — we help you match method to need rather than applying one blunt rule.

Adaptive MFA looks at context — device, location, network, the sensitivity of what's being accessed — and only prompts for an extra factor when something looks risky. A user signing in from their usual laptop sails through; a login from a new device in an unusual location gets challenged. This keeps everyday access smooth while still stopping suspicious attempts.

Passwordless replaces the password entirely with something stronger and easier — a passkey on your device, a biometric, or a hardware key. Because there's no password to phish, steal or reuse, it removes the most-attacked part of login while actually making sign-in faster. Many organisations adopt it gradually, starting with high-risk users — we help you plan that path.

For digital and card transactions, the RBI has long expected an additional factor of authentication (AFA) to protect customers — which is why an OTP step is so familiar in Indian payments. More broadly, the DPDP Act and CERT-In raise the bar on protecting access to personal data, making strong authentication important across the board. Workforce MFA is usually priced per user per month; customer (CIAM) MFA is often per monthly active user. Figures here are illustrative, and this is general guidance, not legal advice — confirm specifics with the vendor and your advisors.