SC-900 Practice Question: Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity
An organization implements a policy where users must provide two forms of verification, such as a password and a text message code, to access the corporate network. Which security concept does this demonstrate?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse 'authentication' (the general process) with 'multifactor authentication' (a specific type), failing to recognize that the question explicitly describes two different verification methods, which is the hallmark of MFA.
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
✓
Multifactor authentication
Multifactor authentication (MFA) requires two or more distinct factors (e.g., something you know like a password, and something you have like a text message code) to verify identity. This is correct because the policy explicitly demands two forms of verification, which is the defining characteristic of MFA, not just single-factor 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.
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Authorization
Why it's wrong here
Authorization is the security process that determines what actions an authenticated user or system is permitted to perform within a system or application. It occurs *after* successful authentication, granting or denying access to specific resources or functionalities based on predefined policies and roles. This is distinct from verifying the user's identity itself, which is the role of authentication, especially multi-factor identity verification.
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Authentication
Why it's wrong here
Authentication is the general process of verifying the identity of a user, process, or device attempting to access a system or resource. While multifactor authentication is a specific, enhanced form of authentication, the term 'authentication' alone is too broad when the question explicitly details the requirement of *multiple* verification factors. Therefore, it does not precisely capture the described security measure.
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Accounting
Why it's wrong here
Accounting, in the context of security, refers to the process of tracking and logging user activities, resource access, and system events. It provides an audit trail for accountability, enabling administrators to review who did what, when, and where, *after* they have been authenticated and authorized. This function is focused on monitoring and recording actions, not on the initial verification of identity.
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Multifactor authentication
Why this is correct
Multifactor authentication (MFA) is the security method that requires a user to provide two or more distinct verification factors from different categories to prove their identity. These factors typically include something the user *knows* (like a password), something the user *has* (like a phone or token), and/or something the user *is* (like a fingerprint). By combining multiple independent factors, MFA significantly enhances security by making it much harder for unauthorized users to gain access, even if one factor is compromised.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Core Security Concepts
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.
Key term
Identity
Identity is the unique set of attributes that defines a user, device, or service in a computer system, determining what they can access and do.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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