What type of authentication mechanism allows multiple different types of methods for access?

The correct answer is multifactor authentication, which refers to a security mechanism that requires two or more different types of authentication methods to verify a user's identity. This approach enhances security by combining something the user knows (like a password), something the user has (like a smartphone or hardware token), and something the user is (like biometric data). The combination of these diverse methods makes it significantly harder for an unauthorized user to gain access, as they would need to compromise multiple factors rather than just one.

The strength of multifactor authentication lies in its layered security approach—by needing different forms of verification, it adequately addresses various security threats. For instance, even if a password is compromised, an attacker would still require the second factor to gain access, whether that be a one-time code sent to a mobile device or a fingerprint scan.

This concept contrasts with other options where the authentication mechanisms may not involve multiple methods. Single sign-on simplifies user management by allowing access to multiple applications with one set of login credentials, but it does not necessarily involve multiple methods of authentication. Strong authentication is a broader term, which can include multifactor authentication but does not specifically focus on the variety of methods included. Token-based authentication typically refers to a specific approach where a token is used for