What does "multi-factor authentication" refer to in marine cybersecurity?

Multi-factor authentication refers to a security measure that requires two or more verification methods before granting access to systems. This approach enhances security by combining different types of authentication factors, such as something you know (like a password), something you have (like a token or smartphone), and something you are (like a fingerprint or facial recognition). By using multiple forms of verification, it significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and protects sensitive information, which is critical in the context of marine cybersecurity, where diverse systems and data are involved.

The incorrect options highlight different aspects of security but do not accurately describe multi-factor authentication. For instance, a single verification method does not provide the enhanced security that multiple methods do, making it less effective against attacks. The option referring to data encryption focuses on protecting data by transforming it into a secure format rather than controlling access, while the physical access control strategy relates more to securing physical locations than to digital access via authentication. Thus, the definition centered on requiring multiple verification methods most accurately captures the essence of multi-factor authentication.