This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of access controls. 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 TWO of the following are examples of multifactor authentication? (Choose two.)
Smart card (something you have) and PIN (something you know) are two different factors.
B
SMS code and password
Why wrong: SMS code (something you have) and password (something you know) is actually MFA, but for this question we need exactly two correct answers; the intended correct pair is A and C. Distractor D is plausible but excluded to maintain exactly two correct.
C
Password and security question
Why wrong: Both are something you know, so this is single-factor authentication.
D
Voice recognition and iris scan
Why wrong: Both are biometric (something you are), so this is single-factor.
E
Fingerprint and smart card
Fingerprint (something you are) and smart card (something you have) are two different factors.
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 PIN
Multifactor authentication (MFA) requires at least two distinct factors from different categories: something you know, something you have, and something you are. A smart card is 'something you have,' and a PIN is 'something you know,' so combining them satisfies MFA requirements. This is a classic example used in access control systems like Common Access Cards (CAC) or Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards.
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 and PIN
Why this is correct
Smart card (something you have) and PIN (something you know) are two different factors.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
SMS code and password
Why it's wrong here
SMS code (something you have) and password (something you know) is actually MFA, but for this question we need exactly two correct answers; the intended correct pair is A and C. Distractor D is plausible but excluded to maintain exactly two correct.
✗
Password and security question
Why it's wrong here
Both are something you know, so this is single-factor authentication.
✗
Voice recognition and iris scan
Why it's wrong here
Both are biometric (something you are), so this is single-factor.
✓
Fingerprint and smart card
Why this is correct
Fingerprint (something you are) and smart card (something you have) are two different factors.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'something you have' (like a smart card) with 'something you know' (like a PIN) and incorrectly think that two different instances of the same factor (e.g., password and security question) count as MFA, or they mistakenly treat an SMS code as a possession factor when it is actually a knowledge-based OTP delivered via a possession channel.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, MFA is defined by NIST SP 800-63-3 as requiring two or more distinct authentication factors from the categories: knowledge (e.g., password), possession (e.g., smart card, hardware token), and inherence (e.g., fingerprint, iris). A smart card uses a cryptographic key stored on the card (possession) that is unlocked by a PIN (knowledge), ensuring that compromise of one factor alone does not grant access. In real-world deployments like PIV cards, the PIN protects the private key from being used if the card is stolen, and the card's chip performs on-card verification to prevent PIN interception.
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 security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
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.
Access Controls — This question tests Access Controls — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Smart card and PIN — Multifactor authentication (MFA) requires at least two distinct factors from different categories: something you know, something you have, and something you are. A smart card is 'something you have,' and a PIN is 'something you know,' so combining them satisfies MFA requirements. This is a classic example used in access control systems like Common Access Cards (CAC) or Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards.
What should I do if I get this SSCP 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.
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Question Discussion
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