The answer is to use a privileged access management solution to control and monitor the shared account. This is correct because a PAM solution addresses the core security risk of legacy shared account privileged access management by vaulting the credentials, rotating passwords, and recording all session activity, thereby enforcing accountability and non-repudiation even when a shared account is unavoidable. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of balancing security policy with operational necessity—a common trap is to think you must simply eliminate the shared account, but the exam expects you to recognize that PAM provides the necessary audit trail and control. Remember the memory tip: “PAM the legacy, don’t ban it”—if a shared account must exist, PAM is the only way to make it accountable.
200-201 Security Policies and Procedures Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security policies and procedures. 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.
A company's security policy prohibits the use of shared accounts. However, a legacy application requires a shared administrative account to run. What is the best approach?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a privileged access management solution to control and monitor the shared account
A privileged access management (PAM) solution can monitor and control the shared account, providing accountability while allowing the legacy application to function.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Use a privileged access management solution to control and monitor the shared account
Why this is correct
PAM enforces accountability and auditability, aligning with policy intent.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Create a policy exception
Why it's wrong here
Exceptions should be rare and temporary; PAM is a more secure solution.
✗
Disable the application
Why it's wrong here
Disabling may impact business operations unnecessarily.
✗
Ignore the policy because it's a legacy system
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring policy introduces security risk and non-compliance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-201 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Security Policies and Procedures — This question tests Security Policies and Procedures — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a privileged access management solution to control and monitor the shared account — A privileged access management (PAM) solution can monitor and control the shared account, providing accountability while allowing the legacy application to function.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-201 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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