mediumMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
200-201 Practice Question: Is implementing a security policy that requires…
An organization is implementing a security policy that requires all remote access to the corporate network to be authenticated using multi-factor authentication (MFA). Which TWO of the following are valid MFA factors?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between authentication factors and access control lists; the trap here is that candidates mistake an IP address whitelist (a security policy control) for an authentication factor, or think a security question counts as a separate factor when it is merely another form of 'something you know'.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Smart card
Smart card (Option B) is a valid MFA factor because it falls under the 'something you have' category. Multi-factor authentication requires at least two different categories from 'something you know' (e.g., password), 'something you have' (e.g., smart card, token), and 'something you are' (e.g., biometric). A smart card stores a digital certificate and private key, used for cryptographic authentication, typically requiring a PIN (knowledge factor) to unlock it, thus providing two-factor authentication when combined.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
IP address whitelist
Why it's wrong here
IP address is a location factor, not a standard MFA factor.
- ✓
Smart card
Why this is correct
Smart card is a possession factor.
- ✗
Password
Why it's wrong here
Password is a knowledge factor, but MFA requires two different factors; password alone is not MFA.
- ✓
Fingerprint scan
Why this is correct
Fingerprint is a biometric inherence factor.
- ✗
Security question
Why it's wrong here
Security question is a knowledge factor, same category as password.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This 200-201 question is part of Courseiva's 979-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.