CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test 2026 - Free CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Questions and Study Guide

The scenario of a user inserting a card and entering a PIN at an ATM exemplifies two-factor authentication because it requires two distinct forms of identification to access the account. The first factor is something the user possesses, which in this case is the physical card. The second factor is something the user knows, represented by the PIN. This combination enhances security, as gaining access would require both the physical card and knowledge of the PIN, making it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to access the account.

In contrast, single sign-on (SSO) facilitates users to log in once and gain access to multiple systems without needing to authenticate again, which does not apply in this scenario. Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is a protocol used to access and manage directory information, but it doesn't pertain to the authentication method illustrated. User-based authentication may involve simple username and password combinations, which do not offer the added layer of security provided by utilizing two separate forms of identification. Thus, the two-factor approach used at the ATM effectively protects user information and assets through its dual requirement for authentication.