- A
Grant full administrative access to a single IT administrator
Why wrong: This concentrates excessive privileges and violates least privilege.
- B
Audit current permissions to identify unnecessary privileges
Auditing helps identify where excessive privileges exist, which is a necessary first step.
- C
Create role-based access control (RBAC) groups that match job functions
RBAC aligns permissions with job roles, ensuring users have only the access needed.
- D
Allow users to request temporary elevation of privileges for specific tasks
Why wrong: This is a separate control (just-in-time access) but does not directly implement least privilege; it can be part of an overall strategy but is not the primary action.
- E
Remove all permissions from users and add them back only when requested
Why wrong: This approach is impractical and would disrupt work; it is not a recommended method.
Quick Answer
The correct actions are to audit current permissions and then create role-based access control (RBAC) groups that match job functions. Auditing first is essential because it reveals exactly where excessive privileges exist, which is the core violation of the least privilege principle. Once the over-permissions are identified, RBAC groups allow the analyst to assign only the precise access needed for each role, systematically reducing risk without breaking workflows. On the CompTIA ITF+ FC0-U61 exam, this question tests your understanding that least privilege is a two-step process: discover the problem, then fix it with structured access controls. A common trap is choosing only one action, such as just auditing or just creating groups, but the exam expects both together. Remember the memory tip: “Audit first, then group by work” — you cannot apply least privilege without knowing what you are trimming, and RBAC is the tool that makes the trimming stick.
FC0-U61 Security Practice Question
This FC0-U61 practice question tests your understanding of security. 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 security analyst is reviewing user permissions and discovers that several users have been granted more privileges than necessary to perform their job functions. The analyst wants to apply the principle of least privilege. Which TWO actions should the analyst take? (Choose TWO.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
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 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
Audit current permissions to identify unnecessary privileges
Auditing current permissions (Option B) is the first step in applying least privilege because it identifies exactly which users have excessive rights. Creating RBAC groups (Option C) then allows the analyst to assign permissions based on job functions, ensuring users only have the access necessary to perform their roles. Together, these actions systematically reduce privilege levels without disrupting operations.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Grant full administrative access to a single IT administrator
Why it's wrong here
This concentrates excessive privileges and violates least privilege.
- ✓
Audit current permissions to identify unnecessary privileges
Why this is correct
Auditing helps identify where excessive privileges exist, which is a necessary first step.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Create role-based access control (RBAC) groups that match job functions
Why this is correct
RBAC aligns permissions with job roles, ensuring users have only the access needed.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Allow users to request temporary elevation of privileges for specific tasks
Why it's wrong here
This is a separate control (just-in-time access) but does not directly implement least privilege; it can be part of an overall strategy but is not the primary action.
- ✗
Remove all permissions from users and add them back only when requested
Why it's wrong here
This approach is impractical and would disrupt work; it is not a recommended method.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the principle of least privilege with just-in-time access (Option D) or think that removing all permissions (Option E) is a valid starting point, when in fact the correct approach is to first audit and then restructure permissions using RBAC.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The principle of least privilege is often implemented using Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), where permissions are assigned to roles rather than individuals, and users are mapped to roles based on their job functions. Auditing involves reviewing Access Control Lists (ACLs) or security group memberships in systems like Active Directory or Linux file permissions (e.g., using `getfacl` or `ls -la`). A real-world scenario is a financial application where a teller role should only have read/write access to customer transaction records, not to administrative account settings; failing to audit and enforce RBAC could lead to data breaches or compliance violations under regulations like SOX or PCI-DSS.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this FC0-U61 question test?
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Audit current permissions to identify unnecessary privileges — Auditing current permissions (Option B) is the first step in applying least privilege because it identifies exactly which users have excessive rights. Creating RBAC groups (Option C) then allows the analyst to assign permissions based on job functions, ensuring users only have the access necessary to perform their roles. Together, these actions systematically reduce privilege levels without disrupting operations.
What should I do if I get this FC0-U61 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on FC0-U61
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which security principle is being applied?
easy- ✓ A.Least privilege
- B.Need to know
- C.Separation of duties
- D.Defense in depth
Why A: The principle of least privilege ensures that users or systems are granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their tasks. In this scenario, applying least privilege would restrict access rights to only what is required, reducing the attack surface and limiting potential damage from compromised accounts or insider threats.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This FC0-U61 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 FC0-U61 exam.
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