Can an authenticator be both a possession and a biometric factor type?

An authenticator can indeed be both a possession and a biometric factor type because these two categories can overlap in certain scenarios.

Possession factors refer to something the user has, such as a smartphone or a hardware token. In contemporary authentication systems, devices that generate a one-time passcode (OTP) or that enable authentication through a specific hardware key are considered possession factors.

On the other hand, biometric factors are based on unique physical characteristics of the user, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scans. Some devices incorporate biometric authentication alongside possession factors. For instance, a smartphone can act as a possession factor while also using biometric recognition (like a fingerprint scanner or facial recognition) to verify the owner's identity when logging into an application.

This dual capability allows for a more secure authentication process, leveraging both what the user has (the device) and who the user is (biometric data). Therefore, answering affirmatively to this question reflects an understanding of how modern authentication can integrate various factor types for enhanced security.