CISSP Identity and Access Management Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are examples of Type 3 authentication factors? (Choose 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
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Fingerprint
Type 3 factors are biometrics: fingerprint and retina scan.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Password
Why it's wrong here
A password represents Type 1 authentication, which is categorized as "something you know." This knowledge-based factor relies on the user's ability to recall and input a secret string of characters, making it distinct from Type 3 biometric factors that measure physical or behavioral characteristics.
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Fingerprint
Why this is correct
A fingerprint scan is a classic example of Type 3 authentication, which relies on "something you are." This biometric factor captures unique physiological patterns from an individual's finger to verify identity, providing a high level of non-repudiation compared to knowledge or possession factors.
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Smart card
Why it's wrong here
A smart card is classified as Type 2 authentication, which is defined as "something you have." This possession-based factor requires the user to physically hold and present a hardware device containing an embedded integrated circuit chip to gain access, rather than relying on biological traits.
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One-time password token
Why it's wrong here
A one-time password (OTP) token, whether hardware or software-based, serves as a Type 2 authentication factor representing "something you have." It generates a time-sensitive or event-based cryptographic code that proves possession of the registered token generator, which is fundamentally different from a static biological characteristic.
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Retina scan
Why this is correct
A retina scan is a highly secure Type 3 authentication factor because it measures the unique, stable blood vessel patterns at the back of a user's eye. As a physiological biometric ("something you are"), it is extremely difficult to forge or replicate, making it ideal for high-security environments.
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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.