Microsoft 365 Certified Endpoint Administrator (MD-102) Practice Test

Which authentication method is recommended to ensure all devices are authenticated under the Zero Trust security model?

1. Passwords

2. Biometric authentication

3. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

4. Smart cards

The correct answer is: Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

The recommended authentication method under the Zero Trust security model is multi-factor authentication (MFA). This is because MFA enhances security by requiring users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to a resource, which significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access. In the context of the Zero Trust model, the guiding principle is "never trust, always verify." This means that regardless of whether a user is accessing the system from within or outside the network, their identity must be thoroughly authenticated before access is granted. MFA accomplishes this by combining something the user knows (like a password), something the user has (like a phone or hardware token), or something the user is (biometric data such as fingerprints or facial recognition). Implementing MFA aligns with the core tenets of Zero Trust by ensuring that the authentication process is robust enough to mitigate the risks associated with stolen credentials or unauthorized access attempts. Each layer of verification adds complexity and heightens security, which is essential in a landscape where threats can originate from various sources. Other methods, while useful, do not provide the same level of security when used alone. For instance, passwords can be easily compromised, and biometric authentication, while strong, may not be as universally applicable or may vary in reliability