- A
Smart card
A smart card is something you have (Type 2).
- B
PIN
Why wrong: A PIN is something you know (Type 1).
- C
Password
Why wrong: A password is something you know (Type 1).
- D
Fingerprint
Why wrong: A fingerprint is something you are (Type 3).
Question 581 of 1,000
CISSP Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which of the following is an example of a Type 2 authentication factor?
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
A smart card is a Type 2 authentication factor because it falls under the category of 'something you have.' Type 2 factors are possession-based, meaning the user must physically possess the token to authenticate. Smart cards store cryptographic keys or certificates and require a card reader to present the credential, making them a classic example of a possession factor.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Smart card
Why this is correct
A smart card is something you have (Type 2).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
PIN
Why it's wrong here
A PIN is something you know (Type 1).
- ✗
Password
Why it's wrong here
A password is something you know (Type 1).
- ✗
Fingerprint
Why it's wrong here
A fingerprint is something you are (Type 3).
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse a smart card with a PIN or password because both are used together in practice, but the question specifically asks for the factor type of the smart card itself, not the combined authentication method.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In authentication, Type 2 factors (possession) include devices like smart cards, hardware tokens (e.g., RSA SecurID), or mobile phones used for OTP generation. Smart cards typically implement the ISO 7816 standard and use challenge-response protocols (e.g., with PKCS#11 or PIV cards) to prove possession without revealing the private key. A subtle behavior is that a smart card can also be combined with a PIN (Type 1) for two-factor authentication, but the card itself remains a Type 2 factor.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISSP question test?
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Smart card — A smart card is a Type 2 authentication factor because it falls under the category of 'something you have.' Type 2 factors are possession-based, meaning the user must physically possess the token to authenticate. Smart cards store cryptographic keys or certificates and require a card reader to present the credential, making them a classic example of a possession factor.
What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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