The answer is multifactor authentication (MFA). This is correct because the policy requires two distinct forms of verification—a password (something you know) and a text message code (something you have)—which is the defining characteristic of MFA, as it demands two or more separate factors from different categories to confirm identity. On the Microsoft SC-900 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how MFA strengthens access control beyond single-factor authentication, often appearing in scenarios where a second factor like a phone or biometric is added. A common trap is confusing MFA with two-step verification, but remember that MFA always uses factors from at least two different categories (knowledge, possession, inherence), whereas two-step might use two items from the same category. For a quick memory tip: think "Know, Have, Are"—MFA requires at least two of these three distinct factor types to prove you are who you say you are.
SC-900 Practice Question: Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity
This SC-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
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?
Why wrong: Authorization determines what a user is allowed to do after authentication, not the process of verifying identity with multiple factors.
B
Authentication
Why wrong: While MFA is a type of authentication, the question specifically describes the use of multiple factors, which is best termed 'multifactor authentication'.
C
Accounting
Why wrong: Accounting (auditing) tracks user activities, not the verification process itself.
D
Multifactor authentication
MFA is the correct term for requiring two or more verification factors to prove identity.
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.
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.
✗
Authorization
Why it's wrong here
Authorization determines what a user is allowed to do after authentication, not the process of verifying identity with multiple factors.
✗
Authentication
Why it's wrong here
While MFA is a type of authentication, the question specifically describes the use of multiple factors, which is best termed 'multifactor authentication'.
✗
Accounting
Why it's wrong here
Accounting (auditing) tracks user activities, not the verification process itself.
✓
Multifactor authentication
Why this is correct
MFA is the correct term for requiring two or more verification factors to prove identity.
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 may 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.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
MFA leverages factors from at least two different categories: knowledge (password), possession (SMS token, hardware key), or inherence (biometrics). Under the hood, protocols like RADIUS or SAML can enforce MFA by requiring a second factor after primary authentication, often using time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) per RFC 6238. In a real-world scenario, an attacker who steals a password alone cannot access the network without the second factor, such as a code from an authenticator app.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-900 question in full detail.
Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity — This question tests Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
What should I do if I get this SC-900 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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