Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) NetworkingSecurity FundamentalsEasy
A company implements a new security policy requiring all employees to use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accessing internal systems. Which security concept is primarily strengthened by this policy?
- AAuthentication
- BConfidentiality
- CIntegrity
- DAvailability
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access, directly strengthening the authentication process and making it harder for unauthorized users to log in even if they have a password.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Confidentiality protects data from unauthorized disclosure, which MFA helps indirectly by improving access control, but authentication is the direct enhancement.
- C. Integrity ensures data is accurate and not tampered with, which MFA doesn't directly address.
- D. Availability ensures systems and data are accessible when needed, which MFA doesn't directly enhance.
Authentication
The process of verifying the identity of a user, device, or system trying to access a resource.
- Proves 'who you are'
- Can use passwords, biometrics, tokens
- Often paired with authorization
- MFA significantly strengthens authentication
Memory trick: CIA: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability. Authentication 'A'lways comes first for access.