ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
A security professional is asked to choose an authentication method for a high-security facility. The requirement is to use something the user 'is'. Which authentication type should be selected?
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
✓
Type 3 – Inherence factor
Biometrics (fingerprint, retina, iris) fall under Type 3 (inherence) authentication, which checks 'something you are'.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Type 3 – Inherence factor
Why this is correct
Biometrics are inherent traits; they are something you are.
- ✗
Multi-factor authentication
Why it's wrong here
MFA combines two or more types; the question asks for a single type based on 'something you are'.
- ✗
Type 2 – Possession factor
Why it's wrong here
Possession factor (smart card, token) is something you have, not something you are.
- ✗
Type 1 – Knowledge factor
Why it's wrong here
Knowledge factor (password, PIN) is something you know, not something you are.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
Key term
Facial Recognition Technology
Facial recognition technology is a biometric security method that identifies or verifies a person by analyzing and comparing patterns of their facial features.
About these practice questions
One of 976 original CC practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CC exam.