Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) Practice Exam

Which method uses only one type of credential for authentication?

1. Multi-Factor Authentication

2. Single-Factor Authentication

3. Two-Factor Authentication

4. Federated Authentication

The correct answer is: Single-Factor Authentication

Single-Factor Authentication uses only one type of credential to verify a user's identity. This typically involves the use of something the user knows, such as a password or PIN. In contrast, Multi-Factor Authentication, Two-Factor Authentication, and Federated Authentication each incorporate multiple credentials or factors for a more robust security approach. Multi-Factor Authentication requires the use of two or more different types of credentials, which can include something the user knows, something the user has, or something the user is. Two-Factor Authentication is a specific implementation of Multi-Factor Authentication that mandates precisely two different types of credentials. Federated Authentication allows users to access multiple systems using the same login credentials but still involves more than one factor, thus not fitting the definition of using a single type of credential. Therefore, in the context of authentication methods, Single-Factor Authentication stands out as the approach that relies solely on one credential, providing a basic level of security compared to the options that require additional factors.