Which multi-factor authentication (MFA) combination offers the strongest security for remote access? Learn why using a smart card and PIN—combining something you have with something you know—provides robust protection, essential for CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 exam success.
Table of Contents
Question
A security administrator needs to enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for remote access. Which combination provides the strongest security?
A. Username and password
B. Password and security question
C. MAC address filtering and firewall rules
D. Single sign-on (SSO)
E. Smart card and PIN
Answer
E. Smart card and PIN
Explanation
MFA requires multiple authentication factors, such as something the user has (smart card) and something they know (PIN).
The strongest multi-factor authentication (MFA) combination for remote access is a smart card and PIN.
Multi-factor authentication requires the use of two or more different types of authentication factors to verify a user’s identity. The main categories are:
- Something you know: such as a password or PIN.
- Something you have: such as a smart card, hardware token, or mobile device.
- Something you are: such as a fingerprint or other biometric identifier.
Combining a smart card (something you have) with a PIN (something you know) ensures that even if one factor is compromised (e.g., the smart card is stolen), unauthorized access is still prevented without the second factor (the PIN), and vice versa.
This approach is significantly more secure than using two factors from the same category (e.g., password and security question, which are both “something you know”).
Smart cards are widely used in enterprise environments because they securely store cryptographic credentials and require physical possession, while the PIN adds a knowledge-based layer, making unauthorized access extremely difficult without both factors.
This combination meets compliance requirements for strong authentication and is recommended for sensitive or remote access scenarios.
Using a smart card (something you have) and a PIN (something you know) provides robust multi-factor authentication, greatly enhancing security for remote access by requiring two distinct types of proof.
CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 exam and earn CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 certification.