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200-201 Practice Question: Which TWO security concepts are fundamental to…
Which TWO security concepts are fundamental to the principle of least privilege? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'need-to-know' (a least privilege concept) and 'separation of duties' (a fraud-prevention concept), causing candidates to mistakenly select separation of duties because both involve limiting access, but only need-to-know directly enforces least privilege.
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
✓
Role-based access control (RBAC)
Role-based access control (RBAC) is fundamental to the principle of least privilege because it assigns permissions based on job functions rather than individual users, ensuring users receive only the access necessary for their roles. The 'need-to-know' concept restricts access to information strictly required for a user's tasks, directly enforcing least privilege by limiting data exposure. Together, RBAC provides a scalable framework for access management, while need-to-know ensures granular data-level control.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Role-based access control (RBAC)
Why this is correct
RBAC implements least privilege by assigning permissions to roles.
- ✗
Mandatory access control (MAC)
Why it's wrong here
MAC is system-enforced, not directly about limiting to minimum.
- ✓
Need-to-know
Why this is correct
Need-to-know restricts access to data required for tasks.
- ✗
Separation of duties
Why it's wrong here
Separation of duties prevents fraud, not directly least privilege.
- ✗
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth uses multiple layers, not directly about access minimization.
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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