ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
Which authentication type is a smart card an example of?
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
✓
Type 2 (possession)
Smart cards are physical devices that a user possesses, making them Type 2 (possession) authentication.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Type 1 (knowledge)
Why it's wrong here
Knowledge factors include passwords and PINs.
- ✓
Type 2 (possession)
Why this is correct
Possession factors include smart cards, tokens, and authenticator apps.
- ✗
Type 3 (inherence)
Why it's wrong here
Inherence factors are biometrics.
- ✗
Multi-factor
Why it's wrong here
Multi-factor combines two or more types.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Authentication and Authorization Methods
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
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
One of 976 original CC practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. 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.