Which of the following BEST describes using a smart card and typing in a PIN to gain access to a system?

A.
Biometrics

B.
PKI

C.
Single factor authentication

D.
Multifactor authentication

Explanation:
Multifactor authentication requires a user to provide two or more authentication factors for
authentication purposes. In this case, a smart card (something they have) is one and a PIN (something
they know) is the second.
Incorrect Answers:
A: Biometrics refers to a collection of physical attributes of the human body that can be used for
authentication. It is an authentication factor type. Something they are.
B: Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) centers on proving the identity of communication partners. PKI makes
use of asymmetric cryptographic solutions to securely exchange session-based symmetric encryption
keys. PKI also makes use of hashing to protect message integrity.
C: Single factor authentication only requires one authentication factor for authentication purposes.

Stewart, James Michael, CompTIA Security+ Review Guide, Sybex, Indianapolis, 2014, pp. 282, 285, 350