- A
Confidentiality ensures that data is accessible only to authorized users.
Confidentiality is the principle of preventing unauthorized access to information, ensuring that only those with proper permissions can view or read data.
- B
Integrity ensures that data is always available when needed.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because integrity refers to the accuracy and consistency of data, not its availability. Availability is a separate CIA triad component.
- C
Non-repudiation ensures that a user cannot deny having performed an action.
Non-repudiation provides proof of the origin or delivery of data, preventing an individual from denying their involvement in a transaction or action.
- D
Authorization verifies the identity of a user or device.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because authorization determines what an authenticated user is allowed to do, not who they are. Identity verification is authentication.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is the pairing of non-repudiation with ensuring a user cannot deny having performed an action. This is accurate because non-repudiation is a core security principle that provides accountability through mechanisms like digital signatures or audit logs, preventing a party from falsely denying their involvement in a transaction or change. In contrast, confidentiality restricts data access to authorized users, integrity guarantees data accuracy and trustworthiness, and authorization determines what permissions a user has after their identity is verified by authentication. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this question tests your grasp of the CIA triad and related controls, often using tricky pairings where integrity is confused with availability or authorization is swapped with authentication. A common trap is misreading “availability” as a synonym for integrity; remember that integrity is about data being correct and unaltered, not simply accessible. To lock it in, use the mnemonic “CIA-NRA”: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability, then Non-repudiation, Authorization, Authentication.
CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. A key principle to apply: the principle of least privilege restricts user and process access rights to the minimum necessary to perform their tasks, reducing attack surfaces in network security.. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Select the options that correctly pair the security principle or control with its meaning.
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
Confidentiality ensures that data is accessible only to authorized users.
Confidentiality ensures data is accessible only to authorized users; integrity ensures data accuracy and trustworthiness (not availability); non-repudiation ensures accountability by preventing denial of actions; authorization grants permissions (not identity verification, which is authentication). Option B is wrong because integrity is about data correctness, not availability. Option D is wrong because authorization determines permissions, while authentication verifies identity.
Key principle: The principle of least privilege restricts user and process access rights to the minimum necessary to perform their tasks, reducing attack surfaces in network security.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Confidentiality ensures that data is accessible only to authorized users.
Why this is correct
Confidentiality is the principle of preventing unauthorized access to information, ensuring that only those with proper permissions can view or read data.
Related concept
The principle of least privilege restricts user and process access rights to the minimum necessary to perform their tasks, reducing attack surfaces in network security.
- ✗
Integrity ensures that data is always available when needed.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because integrity refers to the accuracy and consistency of data, not its availability. Availability is a separate CIA triad component.
- ✓
Non-repudiation ensures that a user cannot deny having performed an action.
Why this is correct
Non-repudiation provides proof of the origin or delivery of data, preventing an individual from denying their involvement in a transaction or action.
Related concept
The principle of least privilege restricts user and process access rights to the minimum necessary to perform their tasks, reducing attack surfaces in network security.
- ✗
Authorization verifies the identity of a user or device.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because authorization determines what an authenticated user is allowed to do, not who they are. Identity verification is authentication.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Confidentiality ensures that data is accessible only to authorized users.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Confidentiality is the principle of preventing unauthorized access to information, ensuring that only those with proper permissions can view or read data.
✗Integrity ensures that data is always available when needed.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Integrity ensures data accuracy and trustworthiness, not availability; availability is a separate principle.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may associate 'integrity' with 'keeping data intact' and mistakenly think it means keeping data accessible.
✗Authorization verifies the identity of a user or device.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Authorization grants permissions to resources; identity verification is the role of authentication.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates often mix up authentication and authorization because both involve access control and are often used together.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Be careful not to confuse integrity with availability, and authorization with authentication. Remember: integrity = data accuracy, availability = data accessible; authentication = who you are, authorization = what you can do.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Security principles in networking form the foundation for protecting data, devices, and communications. Least privilege limits access rights to only what is necessary, preventing users or processes from performing unauthorized actions. Integrity ensures that data and configurations remain unaltered except by authorized entities, which is crucial for maintaining reliable network operations. Confidentiality protects information from unauthorized disclosure, often through encryption methods. SSH is a protocol that provides encrypted remote access to network devices, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of administrative sessions. In Cisco network environments, these principles are implemented through specific controls. Least privilege is enforced by configuring user roles and privilege levels on IOS devices, ensuring users can only execute commands necessary for their role. Integrity is maintained by using cryptographic checksums and secure boot features to verify IOS images and configurations have not been tampered with. Confidentiality is achieved by using SSH instead of Telnet for remote management, encrypting all session data to prevent interception. These controls collectively reduce the risk of unauthorized access, configuration changes, and data leaks. A common exam trap is confusing confidentiality with integrity or assuming that encryption alone guarantees integrity. For example, SSH encrypts data to maintain confidentiality but also ensures integrity by detecting tampering during transmission. Another trap is overlooking the importance of least privilege, which is often neglected but critical to limiting damage from compromised accounts. Practically, Cisco network administrators must balance these principles by applying role-based access control, using secure protocols like SSH, and verifying device integrity regularly to maintain a secure network environment.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- The principle of least privilege restricts user and process access rights to the minimum necessary to perform their tasks, reducing attack surfaces in network security.
- Integrity in security ensures that data and configurations are protected from unauthorized modification, preserving trustworthiness in network communications and device settings.
- Confidentiality protects sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure by using encryption and access controls, which is critical for secure network management.
- SSH (Secure Shell) provides encrypted remote administration, preventing eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks on network device management sessions.
- Security principles such as least privilege, integrity, and confidentiality work together to form a comprehensive defense-in-depth strategy in Cisco network environments.
- Applying least privilege in Cisco devices involves configuring role-based access control (RBAC) and limiting command privileges to reduce risk of accidental or malicious changes.
- Integrity verification in Cisco networks can be supported by cryptographic hashes and digital signatures to detect unauthorized changes to IOS images or configuration files.
- Confidentiality in Cisco network management is enforced by protocols like SSH and by using access control lists (ACLs) to restrict sensitive traffic.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
The principle of least privilege restricts user and process access rights to the minimum necessary to perform their tasks, reducing attack surfaces in network security.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the principle of least privilege restricts user and process access rights to the minimum necessary to perform their tasks, reducing attack surfaces in network security., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Network Services and Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — The principle of least privilege restricts user and process access rights to the minimum necessary to perform their tasks, reducing attack surfaces in network security..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Confidentiality ensures that data is accessible only to authorized users. — Confidentiality ensures data is accessible only to authorized users; integrity ensures data accuracy and trustworthiness (not availability); non-repudiation ensures accountability by preventing denial of actions; authorization grants permissions (not identity verification, which is authentication). Option B is wrong because integrity is about data correctness, not availability. Option D is wrong because authorization determines permissions, while authentication verifies identity.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review the principle of least privilege restricts user and process access rights to the minimum necessary to perform their tasks, reducing attack surfaces in network security., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
The principle of least privilege restricts user and process access rights to the minimum necessary to perform their tasks, reducing attack surfaces in network security.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco 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 200-301 exam.
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