ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
A security team decides to implement multi-factor authentication for all remote access. Which combination of factors would constitute multi-factor authentication?
⚠ Common exam trap
CC often tests whether candidates understand that MFA requires different factor categories, tempting them to pick two biometrics or two passwords as valid MFA combinations.
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 and fingerprint scan
Multi-factor authentication requires combining factors from at least two different categories: something you know (password, PIN), something you have (smart card, token), and something you are (biometrics). A smart card (something you have) plus a fingerprint scan (something you are) satisfies this requirement by combining two distinct factor types. This is the only option that crosses factor categories.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Fingerprint scan and retina scan
Why it's wrong here
Fingerprint and retina scans are both inherence factors, so this is single-factor authentication, not multi-factor. It tempts because biometrics feel inherently strong and layered, yet MFA requires combining different categories, such as a password with a fingerprint, rather than two biometrics.
- ✗
Two different passwords
Why it's wrong here
Two passwords are both knowledge factors, so they satisfy only one factor category and never constitute MFA. Combining a password with a different category, such as a hardware token or biometric, is what multi-factor authentication actually requires.
- ✗
Password and PIN
Why it's wrong here
A password and a PIN are both knowledge factors, so this remains single-factor authentication despite two prompts. It tempts because two secrets appear to double security, but MFA demands distinct categories, for example a password plus a hardware token or fingerprint.
- ✓
Smart card and fingerprint scan
Why this is correct
Multi-factor authentication requires factors from different categories: something you have, know, or are. A smart card (possession) plus a fingerprint scan (inherence) combines two distinct categories, satisfying the requirement. Two passwords or two biometrics would not qualify.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Authentication and Authorization Methods
Key term
Biometrics
Biometrics is the technology that uses unique physical or behavioral traits, like fingerprints or voice patterns, to verify a person's identity.
Key term
Authentication
Authentication is the process of verifying that someone or something is who or what it claims to be before granting access to a system or resource.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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.