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SY0-501 · Question #451

Which of the following would provide additional security by adding another factor to a smart card?

The correct answer is D. PIN. To enhance the security of a smart card, adding a PIN provides a second authentication factor by requiring both possession of the card and knowledge of a secret code. This creates a multi-factor authentication scheme, significantly improving access control.

Submitted by tom_us· Mar 4, 2026General security concepts

Question

Which of the following would provide additional security by adding another factor to a smart card?

Options

  • AToken
  • BProximity badge
  • CPhysical key
  • DPIN

How the community answered

(36 responses)
  • A
    6% (2)
  • B
    6% (2)
  • C
    14% (5)
  • D
    75% (27)

Why each option

To enhance the security of a smart card, adding a PIN provides a second authentication factor by requiring both possession of the card and knowledge of a secret code. This creates a multi-factor authentication scheme, significantly improving access control.

AToken

A token is a broad term for an authentication factor, but it doesn't specifically describe an additional factor that combines with a smart card to form multi-factor authentication in the way a PIN does for a 'something you know' component.

BProximity badge

A proximity badge is another form of 'something you have,' similar to a smart card, and therefore does not introduce a different type of authentication factor for multi-factor authentication.

CPhysical key

A physical key is also a 'something you have' factor, analogous to a smart card, and does not provide a distinct second factor for multi-factor authentication.

DPINCorrect

A PIN (Personal Identification Number) represents 'something you know,' which, when combined with a smart card (representing 'something you have'), fulfills the requirements of multi-factor authentication. This combination strengthens security by requiring users to possess the physical smart card and know its associated secret PIN to authenticate successfully.

Concept tested: Multi-factor authentication with smart cards

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-protection/smart-cards/smart-card-authentication

Topics

#multi-factor authentication#smart card#PIN#authentication factors

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