---
sourceDocument: Brazil Platform security
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/platform-security
Release :
- brazil
ft:locale :
- en-US
ft:publication_title :
- Brazil Platform security
ft:clusterId :
- psec
bundleId :
- psec
workflow :
- Platform
---
# MFA verification methods
# Multi-factor authentication verification methods {#ariaid-title1}
Release version: Brazil
Updated September 10, 2026
 2 minutes to read
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## Summary of Multi-factor authentication verification methods
ServiceNow's Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) supports various verification methods to enhance login security beyond just user name and password.
Users can configure multiple MFA factors independently, including authenticator applications, biometric scanners, hardware keys, SMS, and email-based one-time passwords (OTP).
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## Key Features
* **Authenticator Applications:** Third-party apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator generate temporary passcodes for MFA. Users must install these apps on their mobile devices and scan a QR code to set up.
* **Hardware Keys and Biometric Scanners (Web Authentication):** Supported via the Integration - Web Authentication plugin, allowing use of physical hardware keys or biometric readers (fingerprint, facial recognition) as MFA factors. Users can register these authenticators on their devices to use during login.
* **Passkey:** Enables passwordless login using biometric sensors, PINs, or patterns to unlock a device and authenticate securely.
* **SMS OTP:** Admins can configure the instance to send a six-digit verification code via SMS to the user's registered mobile number, which users enter to verify identity during login.
* **Email OTP:** Similar to SMS OTP, this method sends a six-digit code to the user's email address for identity verification during login.
## Practical Implications for ServiceNow Customers
By leveraging these MFA verification methods, customers can significantly strengthen instance security and comply with organizational access policies. The flexibility to choose from multiple MFA factors allows tailoring authentication processes to user preferences and device capabilities. Admins control the configuration of SMS and email OTP delivery, while users can independently set up authenticator apps, biometric devices, or hardware keys to meet MFA requirements efficiently.
ServiceNow's MFA supports verification methods such as Authenticator App, Fast IDentity Online 2 (FIDO2) and Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP).
The users can use the following options in addition to their user name and password to fulfill multi-factor authentication requirements. The users can setup MFA factors such as Authenticator applications, Biometric scanners, Hardware
Keys, and SMS independently.
## Authenticator applications {#mfa-methods__section_klr_nvd_bdc}
An authenticator application is third-party software that generates temporary passcodes. Users can use these passcodes along with their password to log in into an instance that requires multi-factor authentication (MFA). For more
detail on these applications, see [Authenticator applications](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/f1ZUBXo9jsVU9aqhYunT1w "Use third party authenticator applications to generate temporary MFA pass codes.").
Note:
Install an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator on your mobile device before scanning the QR code. The QR code configures your authenticator app for this account; it does not install the app.
## Hardware Keys and Biometric scanners (Web Authentication) {#mfa-methods__section_zrp_pvd_bdc}
The Integration - Web Authentication (com.snc.integration.webauthn) plugin allows hardware key or biometric reader authentication on your instance.
Biometric authenticators use fingerprint or facial recognition to identify users. Your users can use these authenticators on their devices as part of the multi-factor login process. For details on registering biometric authenticators,
see [Register a biometric authenticator](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/nyOVYdie9MSjdJLPUNVWSQ "Register a biometric authenticator to use as part of your MFA login.").
Hardware keys are physical hardware that you can use to authenticate. Hardware keys are inserted into a port on your device to provide authentication. For details on registering hardware keys, see [Register a hardware security key](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Jb~ZUcY0zuiaIFn8hJWLlg "Register a hardware key to use as part of your MFA login.").
![Hardware key icon]()
## Passkey {#mfa-methods__section_ity_g1m_ndc}
Passkey authentication is a secure, password less method of log in, where the users use a passkey by unlocking their device with a biometric sensor, PIN, or pattern.
## SMS {#mfa-methods__section_m4g_svd_bdc}
Admin can configure ServiceNow instance to require users who attempt to log in to the instance using SMS based OTP.
When users attempt to log in to ServiceNow, SMS OTP is sent to the mobile number associated with the sys_user record. Users can enter the six-digit verification code that it sent to the mobile device and verify their identity. For more
information, see [SMS as an MFA factor](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/BvqIrlwGQ4roLhOmAEyWqw "Multi-factor authentication (MFA) with SMS as a factor for your authentication.").
![SMS]()
## Email {#mfa-methods__section_dc4_5vd_bdc}
Admin can configure ServiceNow instance to require users who attempt to log in to the instance using Email based OTP.
When users attempt to log in to ServiceNow, Email OTP is sent to the email address of the user. Users can enter the six-digit verification code that it sent to the email address and verify their identity. For more information, see [Email as an MFA factor](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/hAS_Tsa3xdKwyVtcGszS1A "Multi-factor authentication (MFA) with Email as a factor for your authentication.").
![Email]()
**Related concepts**
* [Web Authentication - MFA](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ir~JBiuxk29648GMJNHZiw "Use the Integration - Web Authentication (com.snc.integration.webauthn) to allow hardware key or biometric reader authentication on your instance.")
* [Multi-factor authentication verification methods](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/PJUcsz8Jm6f_sU9rHDXIoQ "ServiceNow's MFA supports verification methods such as Authenticator App, Fast IDentity Online 2 (FIDO2) and Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP).")
* [Email as an MFA factor](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/hAS_Tsa3xdKwyVtcGszS1A "Multi-factor authentication (MFA) with Email as a factor for your authentication.")