Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?
A security method that requires two or more verification steps to log in — typically something you know (password) plus something you have (phone or security key). MFA blocks over 99% of automated account compromise attacks. It is free to enable on most business platforms and is the single most impactful security upgrade a Canadian SMB can make.
Everything Canadian businesses need to know about MFA →
Why this matters for Canadian businesses
Understanding Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is part of building a security programme that meets the 13 Baseline Cyber Security Controls published by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (ITSM.10.089) — the Government of Canada's recommended minimum standard for small and medium organizations. You can measure your organization against all 13 controls with our free cybersecurity assessment.
For the wider picture on how Canadian small and medium businesses are performing, see The Cybersecurity Canada Report 2026, our annual benchmark of incident rates, breach costs, and regulation affecting Canadian organizations.
Cite This Page
Suggested citation:
Cybersecurity Canada (2026). Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Retrieved from https://cybersecuritycanada.ca/glossary/mfa/
Permanent URL: https://cybersecuritycanada.ca/glossary/mfa/
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