Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) Practice Exam

Multi-factor Authentication involves:

1. Using only knowledge factors like passwords

2. Presenting a single credential for access

3. Combining two or more independent credentials

4. Using only biometric factors

The correct answer is: Combining two or more independent credentials

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) enhances security by requiring users to present two or more independent credentials for accessing systems. The rationale behind this approach is that using multiple factors makes it significantly more challenging for unauthorized individuals to gain access. These factors typically fall into three categories: something you know (like passwords), something you have (such as a security token or smartphone app), and something you are (biometric data like fingerprints or facial recognition). By combining different types of credentials, MFA reduces reliance on any single factor and strengthens overall security. This is particularly important in cloud environments, where risks associated with identity theft and unauthorized access can have serious implications. The other choices focus on limited approaches to authentication. Relying solely on knowledge factors like passwords does not provide the layered security that MFA offers. Presenting a single credential does not leverage the benefits of combining multiple verification methods, thus exposing systems to potential vulnerabilities. Lastly, using only biometric factors disregards the broader strategy that MFA employs by integrating various types of credentials to improve security.