Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Why is multifactor authentication generally stronger than password-only access?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
It removes the need for authorization policies.
MFA improves authentication, not authorization design.
B
Best answer
It relies on more than one authentication factor.
Correct. That is the core strength of MFA.
C
Distractor review
It guarantees that credentials can never be phished.
MFA reduces risk but does not guarantee immunity to all phishing techniques.
D
Distractor review
It replaces encryption on the network.
Authentication does not replace traffic encryption.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is selecting options that overstate MFA’s capabilities, such as assuming it guarantees immunity to phishing or replaces encryption. MFA reduces risk but does not eliminate all attack vectors, and it does not substitute for encryption protocols that protect data in transit. Another trap is confusing authentication with authorization; MFA strengthens authentication but does not remove the need for proper authorization policies. Recognizing these distinctions is critical to avoid incorrect answers that exaggerate MFA’s role or misunderstand its function in network security.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Multifactor authentication (MFA) enhances security by requiring users to present two or more independent credentials before granting access. These factors typically include something you know (password), something you have (security token or smartphone app), and something you are (biometric data). This layered approach significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access compared to password-only systems, which rely solely on a single knowledge factor vulnerable to theft or guessing. In Cisco networking and CCNA contexts, MFA is crucial for securing device management interfaces and network access controls. The authentication process evaluates multiple factors independently, so even if one factor, such as a password, is compromised, the attacker cannot gain access without the additional factors. This principle aligns with Cisco’s best practices for network security, emphasizing defense in depth and reducing single points of failure. A common exam trap is to assume MFA completely eliminates all risks like phishing or replaces other security mechanisms such as encryption. While MFA greatly improves authentication strength, it does not guarantee immunity to all attack vectors and does not substitute for encryption protocols that protect data confidentiality and integrity. Understanding these distinctions helps avoid misinterpreting MFA’s role in comprehensive network security strategies.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Multifactor authentication requires users to provide two or more independent credentials to verify identity before granting access.
- MFA improves security by combining knowledge, possession, and inherence factors, reducing the risk of credential compromise.
- Cisco network devices use MFA to strengthen authentication for management access and network resource protection.
- Password-only authentication relies on a single factor, making it vulnerable to guessing, theft, or phishing attacks.
- MFA does not replace encryption but complements it by securing user authentication processes.
- Compromise of one authentication factor in MFA does not automatically grant access without the additional factors.
- MFA aligns with Cisco’s defense-in-depth strategy by adding layers of security to network access control.
- Understanding MFA’s limitations prevents overestimating its protection against all types of cyber threats.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Related practice questions
Related 200-301 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
CCNA subnetting practice questions
Practise IPv4 subnetting, CIDR, masks, host ranges and subnet selection.
CCNA OSPF practice questions
Practise OSPF neighbours, router IDs, metrics, areas and routing-table interpretation.
CCNA VLAN practice questions
Practise VLANs, access ports, trunks, allowed VLANs and switching scenarios.
CCNA STP practice questions
Practise spanning tree, root bridge election, port roles and STP troubleshooting.
CCNA EtherChannel practice questions
Practise LACP, PAgP, port-channel behaviour and bundle requirements.
CCNA ACL practice questions
Practise standard and extended ACLs, permit/deny logic and traffic filtering.
CCNA NAT practice questions
Practise static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT and inside/outside address translation.
CCNA DHCP practice questions
Practise DHCP scopes, relay, leases and troubleshooting.
CCNA show ip route practice questions
Practise routing-table output, longest-prefix match, AD and route selection.
CCNA show interfaces trunk practice questions
Practise trunk verification and VLAN forwarding across switches.
CCNA wireless security practice questions
Practise WLAN security, authentication and wireless architecture concepts.
CCNA IPv6 practice questions
Practise IPv6 addressing, routes, neighbour discovery and common IPv6 exam traps.
More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Multifactor authentication requires users to provide two or more independent credentials to verify identity before granting access.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It relies on more than one authentication factor. — MFA combines independent factors, so compromise of one factor does not automatically grant access.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
Discussion
Loading comments…
Sign in to join the discussion.