ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
An organization requires both a password and a fingerprint scan to access a secure system. This is an example of:
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse 'two-step authentication' with 'multi-factor authentication' — candidates see two prompts and pick two-step, missing that MFA specifically requires factors from different categories.
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
✓
Multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires two or more factors from different categories: something you know (password), something you have (token), or something you are (biometric). Here, the password is a knowledge factor and the fingerprint is an inherence/biometric factor, so combining them satisfies MFA. Because the factors come from distinct categories, this is true MFA rather than a single-factor or same-category combination.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Biometric authentication
Why it's wrong here
Biometric authentication covers only the fingerprint component, ignoring the password the scenario also demands. It is tempting because a fingerprint scan is genuinely biometric verification. It would be the correct answer if access relied solely on the fingerprint, with no password required alongside it.
- ✗
Single-factor authentication
Why it's wrong here
Single-factor authentication verifies identity through one credential category only, so combining a password with a fingerprint scan exceeds it. It is tempting because each credential alone is single-factor, but the scenario requires both together. It would be correct where only a password, or only a fingerprint, grants access.
- ✓
Multi-factor authentication
Why this is correct
Multi-factor authentication combines two or more different authentication factor categories: something you know (the password) and something you are (the fingerprint). Because the factors span knowledge and inherence, rather than two instances of the same category, this satisfies the stem's requirement for both a password and a biometric scan.
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Two-step authentication
Why it's wrong here
Two-step authentication requires two distinct methods, but the stem's password plus fingerprint are different factors, making it multi-factor authentication. It is tempting because two credentials are presented sequentially. It would be correct if both steps used the same factor category, such as a password followed by a PIN.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Authentication and Authorization Methods
Key term
MFA
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security method that requires a user to verify their identity using two or more different types of evidence, such as a password plus a code from a phone, before they can access an account or system.
Key term
Time-based One-time Password
A temporary, automatically generated code that changes every few seconds and is used as an extra layer of security when logging into an account.
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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.