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200-201 Practice Question: During a merger, two companies have different…
During a merger, two companies have different security policies. Company A uses a discretionary access control (DAC) model, while Company B uses a mandatory access control (MAC) model. The merged entity must adopt a single policy. Which approach is most likely to be adopted and why?
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
✓
MAC because it is more secure
MAC provides stricter, system-enforced controls based on classification, which is often adopted in higher-security environments. DAC relies on user discretion and is less secure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DAC because it is more flexible
Why it's wrong here
Flexibility is not the primary driver; security is.
- ✗
Both can coexist
Why it's wrong here
A single policy is required, coexistence leads to inconsistency.
- ✓
MAC because it is more secure
Why this is correct
MAC offers stronger security enforcement, suitable for merged policies.
- ✗
A new hybrid model combining both
Why it's wrong here
Hybrid models are complex and rarely adopted in practice.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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