ISC2 CC Multi-factor authentication (MFA) Practice Question
When implementing multi-factor authentication, which combination of factors is considered strongest?
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 biometric
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires combining two or more different types of factors. The three categories are: something you know (Type 1), something you have (Type 2), and something you are (Type 3). A smart card falls under Type 2 (possession), while a biometric falls under Type 3 (inherence). Combining two different categories is stronger than using two factors from the same category, such as password and PIN (both Type 1) or biometric and fingerprint (both Type 3).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Password and PIN
Why it's wrong here
Both are Type 1 (knowledge), so it's still single factor.
- ✗
Password and security question
Why it's wrong here
Both are Type 1 (knowledge).
- ✓
Smart card and biometric
Why this is correct
Smart card is Type 2 (possession) and biometric is Type 3 (inherence), combining two different types.
- ✗
Biometric and fingerprint
Why it's wrong here
Both are Type 3 (inherence), so it's still single factor.
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
Common Access Card
A Common Access Card (CAC) is a smart card issued by the U.S. Department of Defense that serves as a single identification, authentication, and access credential for military personnel and contractors.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every CC question from scratch — 976 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. 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.