This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. 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. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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.
Which security principle ensures that a user or system is granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform a specific function?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Need-to-know
Why wrong: Restricts data access, but not the entire permission scope.
Least privilege
Directly refers to granting minimal necessary permissions.
Separation of duties
Why wrong: Prevents fraud by splitting responsibilities.
Defense in depth
Why wrong: Describes layered security, not minimum permissions.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Least privilege
The principle of least privilege dictates that a user, process, or system should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform a specific function. In Cisco security contexts, this is enforced through features like Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) on Cisco IOS devices, where privilege levels (0-15) are assigned to restrict command access, or via TrustSec Security Group Tags (SGTs) that limit traffic flows to only required resources.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Need-to-know
Why it's wrong here
Restricts data access, but not the entire permission scope.
Least privilege
Why this is correct
Directly refers to granting minimal necessary permissions.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Separation of duties
Why it's wrong here
Prevents fraud by splitting responsibilities.
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Describes layered security, not minimum permissions.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests least privilege by pairing it with 'need-to-know' as a distractor, hoping candidates confuse the data-centric 'need-to-know' with the permission-centric 'least privilege' principle.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, least privilege is implemented in Cisco IOS via privilege levels (0-15), where level 1 is the default user mode and level 15 is privileged EXEC; administrators can create custom privilege levels (e.g., level 5) and assign specific commands using the 'privilege' command in global configuration mode. In Cisco ISE, least privilege is enforced through authorization policies that map users to specific SGTs, ensuring that a device can only communicate with other devices based on the minimum required access. A real-world scenario is configuring a help desk user with privilege level 7 that only allows 'show' commands and 'clear line' but denies 'configure terminal', preventing accidental or malicious configuration changes.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security Concepts — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Security Concepts practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All 350-701 questions
500 questions across all exam domains
Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
350-701 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise 350-701 questions linked to Endpoint Protection and Detection.
Practise 350-701 questions linked to Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement.
Practise 350-701 questions linked to Security Concepts.
Practise 350-701 questions linked to Network Security.
Practise 350-701 questions linked to Cloud Security.
Practise 350-701 questions linked to Content Security.
Practise 350-701 questions linked to 350-701 fundamentals.
Practise 350-701 questions linked to 350-701 scenario.
Practise 350-701 questions linked to 350-701 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Least privilege — The principle of least privilege dictates that a user, process, or system should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform a specific function. In Cisco security contexts, this is enforced through features like Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) on Cisco IOS devices, where privilege levels (0-15) are assigned to restrict command access, or via TrustSec Security Group Tags (SGTs) that limit traffic flows to only required resources.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This 350-701 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 350-701 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.