Smart Card MFA Additional Factor
A company wants to implement MFA. Which of the following enables the additional factor while using a smart card?
Community Votes
100% of anonymous learners picked answer A. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Community Insight
The exam tests the ability to distinguish between authentication factors; the common trap is selecting another physical token or knowledge identifier that doesn't pair with the specific hardware in use.
This question tests the components of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) when using a smart card. It establishes that a PIN serves as the necessary 'something you know' factor to complement the 'something you have' smart card.
Users often select Hardware Token, failing to recognize it duplicates the 'something you have' category rather than providing the distinct 'something you know' factor required for MFA.
Community Discussion (7 comments)
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Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
A smart card represents the 'something you have' factor in authentication. To implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), a second, distinct factor is required. A Personal Identification Number (PIN) provides 'something you know', creating a robust two-factor combination.Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Hardware tokens are also 'something you have', failing to provide factor diversity. User IDs are identifiers, not secrets or factors. SMS delivers a code ('something you know') but is not the standard additional factor integrated directly with a smart card reader interface.Community Comment Notes
Community consensus strongly supports the PIN answer. As salah112 noted, the combination provides both possession and knowledge. Dapsie reinforced this by comparing it to a debit card scenario where the card and PIN work together.Exam Strategy
Always categorize each option into the three MFA buckets: Something You Know, Have, or Are. Ensure the selected additional factor belongs to a different bucket than the primary credential provided in the stem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a hardware token incorrect for this question?
A hardware token is also 'something you have'. MFA requires factors from different categories, so it does not add a new type of proof.
Can a User ID be considered an authentication factor?
No, a User ID is an identifier used to locate an account, not a secret or biological trait used to verify identity.