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CISSP Practice Question: A healthcare organization implements a policy…
A healthcare organization implements a policy requiring all employees to use biometric fingerprint scanners to access patient records. Which of the following is the MOST significant risk associated with this authentication method?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates focus on the immediate operational risks (FAR, user acceptance, or speed) rather than the fundamental, long-term security property of biometrics: the inability to revoke or change the credential, which is the most critical risk in identity and access management.
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
✓
Biometric data cannot be revoked or changed if compromised
Biometric data, such as fingerprint templates, is immutable and permanently tied to the individual. Once compromised, the user cannot simply 'reset' their fingerprint like a password, rendering the authentication factor permanently insecure for that user across all systems where it is used. This non-repudiation and revocation failure represents the most significant long-term risk to the organization's identity management infrastructure.
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 data cannot be revoked or changed if compromised
Why this is correct
Unlike passwords or tokens that can be reset or reissued, a compromised biometric template, derived from immutable physical characteristics like fingerprints or iris patterns, cannot be revoked or changed. This permanence means that once an attacker obtains a biometric template, that specific biometric trait is permanently compromised for authentication purposes, posing a significant long-term security risk. Organizations must implement robust template protection mechanisms, such as encryption and tokenization, to mitigate this inherent vulnerability.
- ✗
High false acceptance rate leading to unauthorized access
Why it's wrong here
Modern biometric systems, particularly those utilizing advanced fingerprint scanning technology, employ sophisticated algorithms and high-resolution sensors to achieve extremely low False Acceptance Rates (FAR). These systems are designed to minimize the probability of an unauthorized individual being incorrectly identified as legitimate, making the risk of widespread unauthorized access due to high FAR a negligible concern in contemporary deployments. Continuous improvements in liveness detection and anti-spoofing measures further enhance their accuracy and security posture.
- ✗
Low user acceptance due to privacy concerns
Why it's wrong here
While privacy concerns are a valid consideration for any data collection, user acceptance of biometric authentication in high-security environments like healthcare is generally quite high. Healthcare professionals often prioritize the enhanced security and convenience offered by biometrics for protecting sensitive patient data, understanding the critical need for robust access controls. The perceived benefits of quick, secure access to information, coupled with organizational policies, typically outweigh individual privacy reservations in this context.
- ✗
Increased login time compared to password authentication
Why it's wrong here
Biometric authentication methods, such as fingerprint scanning, typically offer a significantly faster and more streamlined login experience compared to traditional password authentication. The physical act of placing a finger on a scanner is usually quicker and requires less cognitive effort than recalling and accurately typing a complex alphanumeric password. This efficiency contributes to improved workflow and user satisfaction, especially in environments requiring frequent authentication.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Asset Security: Privacy and Data Retention
Key term
Policy
A policy is a set of rules or guidelines that defines how an organization manages, secures, and operates its IT systems and services.
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 CISSP 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 CISSP exam.