156-215.81.20 User and Access Management Practice Question
When configuring Check Point internal users for SmartConsole authentication, what is the best practice for password management?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often overlook password aging policies, assuming that strong complexity alone is sufficient, while forgetting that Check Point best practices mandate both complexity and periodic expiration for secure administration.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enforce password complexity and aging policies
Security best practices dictate that administrators should use strong, unique credentials and that the system should enforce password complexity and expiration. Managing internal users directly in the database is common for smaller environments, but it requires diligent maintenance of password policies to prevent unauthorized access to the security management server, which is the heart of the network security infrastructure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Allow administrators to use shared accounts for common tasks
Why it's wrong here
Shared accounts violate non-repudiation and auditing requirements, as it becomes impossible to determine which specific person made a configuration change. Every administrator must have a unique identity within the system to ensure accountability during log audits and forensics investigations following a security incident.
- ✓
Enforce password complexity and aging policies
Why this is correct
Enforcing password policies mitigates the risk of credential compromise through brute force or dictionary attacks. By requiring a mix of character types and periodic updates, administrators ensure that the management plane remains resilient against unauthorized access, which is a foundational requirement for any secure deployment.
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Set account lockout to unlimited attempts
Why it's wrong here
Unlimited login attempts provide a wide window for attackers to perform automated password guessing. Security standards mandate a strict limit on failed attempts followed by an account lockout period to protect the management server from persistent, unauthorized brute-force attempts targeting administrative credentials.
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Disable multi-factor authentication to speed up login
Why it's wrong here
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a critical defense layer for administrative access. Disabling MFA in favor of convenience drastically increases the risk of account takeover if credentials are leaked. Security policies should always prioritize MFA for administrative accounts to protect against credential stuffing and other common threats.
About these practice questions
One of 210 original 156-215.81.20 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Check Point exam blueprint
This 156-215.81.20 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Check Point certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 156-215.81.20 exam.