What type of authentication mechanism uses a smart card to provide identity verification?

Cryptography-based authentication is the correct answer because smart cards utilize cryptographic methods to verify identity. When a user presents a smart card, it often contains a secured key or certificate that can generate a unique response when queried by a system. This process often involves algorithms that encrypt and decrypt data to confirm that the cardholder is who they assert to be.

Smart cards can store cryptographic keys and certificates, making them integral to secure transactions and logical access controls. This method of authentication ensures that sensitive data is not easily compromised because the actual key is stored securely on the card, and the verification process requires both the card and an authentication mechanism, like a PIN.

In contrast, password-based authentication relies solely on something the user knows (a password), while biometric authentication depends on a user's physical attributes, such as fingerprints or facial recognition. Multi-factor authentication combines different authentication methods, which could include a smart card along with something else, such as a password or biometrics, but the key aspect of smart card usage is its foundation on cryptographic principles.