ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
An organization wants to implement multi-factor authentication for remote access. Which TWO of the following would provide multi-factor authentication? (Select TWO)
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
✓
Password and SMS one-time code
Multi-factor authentication requires combining at least two different factors: something you know (knowledge), something you have (possession), or something you are (inherence). Option C (Password + SMS one-time code) combines knowledge (password) and possession (SMS code sent to a device). Option D (Smart card + PIN) combines possession (smart card) and knowledge (PIN). Option A (Fingerprint + iris scan) is two inherence factors, not multi-factor. Option B (Password + security questions) is two knowledge factors. Option E (Two different passwords) is also two knowledge factors.
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 and iris scan
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This uses two biometric factors (inherence), so it is only single-factor authentication.
- ✗
Password and security questions
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This uses two knowledge factors (something you know), so it is single-factor.
- ✓
Password and SMS one-time code
Why this is correct
Correct. This combines knowledge (password) and possession (SMS code), which are different factors.
- ✓
Smart card and PIN
Why this is correct
Correct. This combines possession (smart card) and knowledge (PIN), which are different factors.
- ✗
Two different passwords
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Two passwords are both knowledge factors, so it is single-factor.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
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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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.