easyMultiple Choice
ISC2 CC Practice Question: Implements a policy where users must swipe their…
An organization implements a policy where users must swipe their ID card and enter a PIN to access a secure room. This is an example of which access control principle?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between authentication factors and authorization models, so the trap here is confusing multifactor authentication (which is about verifying identity) with role-based access control (which is about granting permissions after identity is verified).
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
✓
Multifactor authentication
The policy requires two distinct factors: something you have (the ID card) and something you know (the PIN). This combination of multiple authentication factors from different categories is the defining characteristic of multifactor authentication (MFA).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Biometric authentication
Why it's wrong here
Biometrics verify identity through a physical characteristic such as a fingerprint or iris pattern; a card and PIN are a possession factor and a knowledge factor, not inherence. It is tempting because both approaches strengthen authentication, but biometrics would replace the card and PIN, not describe them.
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Single-factor authentication
Why it's wrong here
Single-factor authentication relies on one credential, whereas the card plus PIN supplies two distinct factor types, making this multi-factor authentication. It is tempting because each credential alone is single-factor, but combining a possession factor with a knowledge factor satisfies two factors, not one.
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Multifactor authentication
Why this is correct
Multifactor authentication combines two or more distinct credential categories: something you have (the ID card) and something you know (the PIN). Swiping alone proves possession; the PIN proves knowledge. Requiring both satisfies the scenario's two-step access control, since neither factor alone authenticates the user.
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Role-based access control
Why it's wrong here
Role-based access control grants permissions by assigning users to roles, not by combining a possession factor with a knowledge factor. It is tempting because RBAC governs which users may enter the room, but the scenario describes multi-factor authentication, since the card and PIN are two different factor types.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Access Control Fundamentals
Key term
Organization
An Organization is a top-level container in Google Cloud that represents your company or entities and serves as the root node for all your cloud resources, policies, and access control.
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.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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