2.3.1 Permitted Authenticator Types
All changes in this version
Title changed
Before · SP 800-63B
After · SP 800-63B-4
Permitted Authenticator Types
Control changed
Before · SP 800-63B
After · SP 800-63B-4
AAL3 authentication SHALL require one of the following authenticator combinations:
• Multi-factor cryptographic authentication ( Sec. 3.1.7 )
• Single-factor cryptographic authentication ( Sec. 3.1.6 ) used in conjunction with either a password ( Sec. 3.1.1 ) or a biometric comparison
A biometric characteristic is not recognized as an authenticator by itself. Section 3.2.3 requires a physical authenticator to be authenticated along with the biometric comparison. The physical authenticator then serves as “something you have,” while the biometric match serves as “something you are.” When a biometric comparison is used as an activation factor for a multi-factor authenticator, the authenticator itself serves as the physical authenticator. As noted in that section, local verification of biometric factors (i.e., the use of a multi-factor authenticator with a biometric comparison as an activation factor) is preferred over central biometric factor comparison.