350-701 Exam QuestionsBrowse all questions from this exam

350-701 Exam - Question 255


Why is it important to implement MFA inside of an organization?

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Correct Answer: A

Implementing MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) is crucial for an organization primarily because it prevents brute force attacks from being successful. Brute force attacks involve attempting multiple combinations of passwords to gain unauthorized access. MFA adds an additional layer of security beyond just the password, requiring another form of verification such as a code sent to a mobile device. Even if the password is compromised, without the second factor, unauthorized access is still prevented. This significantly reduces the probability of a successful brute force attack.

Discussion

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cesar1106
Jun 25, 2021

Its A, A brute force or a man-in-the-middle attack also happen inside an organization

deathfrom
Jun 8, 2021

Isn't the answer A?

NullNull88
Feb 8, 2025

It is,.. Brute Force attacks can't succeed with MFA

semi1750Option: A
Apr 11, 2022

It looks A. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/enterprise/design-zone-security/breach-defense-design-guide.html Cisco Breach Defense Design Guide Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Posture Assessment Integrating MFA (M1032) as part of *organizational policy can greatly reduce the risk of an adversary gaining control of valid credentials that may be used for additional tactics such as initial access, lateral movement, and collecting information. MFA can also be used to restrict access to cloud resources and APIs. If a password is hacked, guessed, or even phished, that’s no longer enough to give an intruder access. Without approval at the second factor, a password alone is useless. Secure Access by Duo provides modern, effective MFA that helps eliminate the problem of *brute force attacks (T1110)

Stardec
Nov 3, 2021

B is correct. Cisco DUO paper says it prevents phishing attacks. https://duo.com/solutions

MoII
Nov 21, 2021

Among all the attack types in the question, only Phishing attacks are supposed to have the highest probability of reaching/happening "inside" an organization I'll go with B here

cyberwhizzy0
Jul 4, 2023

My exact thought

CockOption: A
Jan 3, 2022

I prefer A

SegaMasterSystemAdmin
Feb 5, 2022

Its B. MFA is the best solution against phishing attacks. In order to prevent brute force attacks you have to have password policies in place like timed lock outs. If someone knows your password because of a successful phishing attack, they will be able to use this password unless you have some sort of MFA.

SanchezEldorado
Apr 10, 2022

The answer is A. Most of the people voting for B are assuming that the only purpose of Phishing is to harvest credentials. The definition of Phishing includes things like giving up personal information. This could be credit cards, SSN, or wire transfers. MFA has nothing to do with that. From the official cert guide page 33 under the Credential Brute Force Attacks and Password Cracking section: "The strength of user and application credentials has a direct effect on the success of brute-force attacks. Weak credentials are one of the major causes of credential compromise. The more complex and the longer a password (credential), the better. An even better approach is to use multifactor authentication (MFA). The use of MFA significantly reduces the probability of success for these types of attacks."

ums008Option: D
Jul 15, 2023

The question is focused on attacks from INSIDE the organisation, I believe D Man In Middle attacks is the more relevant answer While implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) offers several security benefits, the primary reason for its implementation is to prevent man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks. A MitM attack occurs when an attacker intercepts the communication between two parties and can potentially eavesdrop, modify, or manipulate the information exchanged. By implementing MFA, organizations add an extra layer of security to the authentication process. MFA requires users to provide multiple factors of authentication, typically something they know (such as a password), something they have (such as a physical token or mobile device), or something they are (such as a fingerprint or biometric scan). This significantly reduces the risk of an attacker successfully impersonating a legitimate user and carrying out a MitM attack.

Premium_Pils
Aug 15, 2024

I agree

netwguy
Jun 9, 2021

Its A D is also a valid reason I think, but im guessing Cisco wants A

statikd
Jun 22, 2021

I think B is correct. The question asks regarding "inside of an organization". A brute force or a man-in-the-middle attack would not happen inside an organization, a phishing attack would.

Seawanderer
Jun 29, 2021

Why not? Inside an org is even easier to tap a cable or span a switch port, especially if you are the network engineer

hisho72
Jun 30, 2021

in Q14 above : Which two kinds of attacks are prevented by multifactor authentication? (Choose two.) the answers are : B. brute force C. man-in-the-middle in general without mention inside , so how come here the answer is :Phishing the key of this question is "inside" which attack happens mostly inside so i think if I make choice from : A or B or D in this case i will go with A

jccastiyoOption: A
Nov 19, 2021

MFA will protect us from a brute force, not any of the other options. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-factor_authentication

coentror
Nov 21, 2021

From Cisco page: Benefits of multi-factor authentication Improved trust The costs of hacking and phishing attacks can be high. Because MFA helps secure systems against unauthorized users--and their associated threats--the organization is more secure overall. B is the correct one

pohqinan
Mar 18, 2022

Answer is A, Cisco Page state that MFA = High Cost of Hacking and phishing but it did not state preventable, if blackhat want break in willing to pay the cost it is hackable or phishing.

jaciro11Option: B
Nov 23, 2021

Its B in the documents of cisco all the time its motioned this about phishing

getafixOption: A
Jun 4, 2022

Brute force attacks target getting user credentials by sending authentication requests overwhelmingly. If no password failure policies are implemented this can result in credential theft. MFA is used to protect user credentials following the principle of what you have (MFA token) complemented by what you know (password). Brute force attack cannot be successful if MFA is enabled

nomanlandsOption: A
Jul 10, 2022

A is the most correct, it could also help with B and D

Rododendron2
May 13, 2024

Cisco WTF, this is crazy But what types of cyberattacks does MFA protect against? Phishing Spear phishing Keyloggers Credential stuffing Brute force and reverse brute force attacks Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks You can pick the one you like forever

Sarbi
Aug 27, 2021

The Correct answer is A. A brute force attack is related to hack credentials.So A make correct choice

jaciro11
Nov 14, 2021

well at the final Duo can´t protect to brutal force at all. Because the auth will be performed and it will generate failure Auth Logs. But if the credential are stolen DUO can act here very well. Okay after credential auth is OK appear DUO and ask for more info well give me the code or push or number given in phone.... well the answer is B

Jamesy
Sep 23, 2022

B in my opinion. To prevent Phishing attacks from being successful. Cheers

gc999Option: B
Jun 13, 2023

https://duo.com/solutions/phishing-prevention

BoxXOption: B
Jul 5, 2023

Vote for B Multifactor authentication (MFA) is a useful security feature, providing an additional security barrier that can slow down hackers, who use techniques, such as social engineering, phishing attacks, and other tactics to steal data and identities.

cyberwhizzy0
Jul 16, 2023

I strongly believe that MFA should not be the primary tool to stop brute force attack. This should be handled by a perimeter device

Premium_PilsOption: A
Aug 15, 2024

https://blogs.cisco.com/security/akira-ransomware-targeting-vpns-without-multi-factor-authentication

BasusoOption: B
Nov 17, 2024

I'm going to go with B on this one, simply because it's definitely the most realistically probable vector of attack that companies nowadays face in compromised credentials. But honestly A and D are valid answers too, again another incredibly bad Cisco question in an exam that every single question is incredibly important for the final score...

ce1997dOption: B
Feb 4, 2025

I believe the key here is it being used inside a network to authenticate east-to-west traffic. When inside an if you are being man-in-the-middle your security has failed to the point where MFA won't protect you. While MFA could help detect a brute force attack you have standard lock out protocols as well. I think the best answer is B because a user can fall for a phishing scheme which may try to use there internal credentials unintentionally. Thus this answer is adding the most increase in security.