Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist (CHTS) Process Workflow & Information Management Redesign Practice Exam

Which of the following is an example of two-factor authentication?

1. Password you must change every 6 months and Smart card with RFID chip

2. Using a single password for multiple accounts

3. Biometric scanning alone for access

4. Regularly updating an email password

The correct answer is: Password you must change every 6 months and Smart card with RFID chip

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security process that requires two different forms of identification to verify the identity of a user. This added layer of security ensures that even if one authentication factor is compromised, unauthorized access is still prevented. In this context, the first option presents a scenario where a user must input something they know (the password that must be changed every 6 months) along with something they have (a smart card with an RFID chip). This combination meets the criteria for two-factor authentication as it involves two distinct methods of verification: a knowledge-based factor and a possession-based factor. The other options do not fulfill the requirements for two-factor authentication. Using a single password for multiple accounts does not introduce a second factor; instead, it increases the vulnerability if that password is compromised. Biometric scanning alone provides only one type of verification - it relies solely on physical characteristics, which does not qualify as two factors. Regularly updating an email password, while a good security practice, still involves only one method of access and therefore does not incorporate a second verification step.