The answer is to use Just-in-Time administration to grant temporary privileges, as this practice best enforces the principle of least privilege within a privileged access management (PAM) solution. By issuing admin rights only when a specific task requires them and revoking them immediately afterward, Just-in-Time administration eliminates standing privileges, which are a primary source of risk in any network. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how PAM reduces the attack surface by limiting the window of exposure for high-level accounts. A common trap is to confuse monitoring with enforcement—simply logging admin actions (Option D) does not restrict access, while sharing accounts (Option B) breaks non-repudiation, and permanent admin rights (Option C) directly violate least privilege. Remember the memory tip: “Just-in-Time, not just-in-case” to recall that temporary, task-bound access is the core of least privilege enforcement.
200-201 Security Policies and Procedures Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security policies and procedures. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 security administrator is implementing a privileged access management (PAM) solution. Which practice best enforces the principle of least privilege for administrators?
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.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Just-in-Time administration to grant temporary privileges
Option A is correct because Just-in-Time administration provides access only when needed, reducing standing privileges. Option B is wrong because sharing accounts violates accountability. Option C is wrong because permanent admin rights increase risk. Option D is wrong because monitoring without limiting access still allows abuse.
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.
✗
Create shared admin accounts for the team
Why it's wrong here
Shared accounts reduce accountability and auditability.
✓
Use Just-in-Time administration to grant temporary privileges
Why this is correct
JIT grants access only for the duration of a task.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Grant permanent admin rights to all senior administrators
Why it's wrong here
Permanent rights violate least privilege.
✗
Monitor admin activity without restricting access
Why it's wrong here
Monitoring without restriction does not enforce least privilege.
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 Just-in-Time administration to grant temporary privileges — Option A is correct because Just-in-Time administration provides access only when needed, reducing standing privileges. Option B is wrong because sharing accounts violates accountability. Option C is wrong because permanent admin rights increase risk. Option D is wrong because monitoring without limiting access still allows abuse.
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", "least". 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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