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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aplus-mfa-factors

A hardware security key is an example of which authentication factor?

Something you have, like a token or key.

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  1. Something you know
  2. Something you have ✔
  3. Something you are

Why: Multi-factor authentication combines different factor types: something you know, have or are. A key or token you hold is something you have.

Huh, didn't know that: NIST lists a PIN or password as something you know and a biometric as something you are.

The dad joke
Why did the security guard ask for two forms of ID? He had trust issues, and a policy.
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References

Answer: Something you have. Multi-factor authentication combines different factor types: something you know, have or are. A key or token you hold is something you have.

  1. Multi-factor authentication, NIST CSRC glossary csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/multi_factor_authentication
    something you have (e.g., cryptographic identification device, token)
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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