- A
HIPAA
Why wrong: HIPAA regulates health information privacy.
- B
GLBA
Why wrong: GLBA governs financial institutions.
- C
CFAA
CFAA prohibits unauthorized computer access.
- D
SOX
Why wrong: SOX deals with corporate financial reporting.
Question 430 of 1,000
PT0-002 Planning and Scoping Practice Question
This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of planning and scoping. 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.
Which legal framework in the United States prohibits unauthorized access to computer systems and is commonly referenced in penetration testing authorization documents?
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
✓
CFAA
The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) is the primary U.S. law against unauthorized computer access.
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.
- ✗
HIPAA
Why it's wrong here
HIPAA regulates health information privacy.
- ✗
GLBA
Why it's wrong here
GLBA governs financial institutions.
- ✓
CFAA
Why this is correct
CFAA prohibits unauthorized computer access.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
SOX
Why it's wrong here
SOX deals with corporate financial reporting.
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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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 PT0-002 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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Planning and Scoping — study guide chapter
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Planning and Scoping practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PT0-002 question test?
Planning and Scoping — This question tests Planning and Scoping — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: CFAA — The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) is the primary U.S. law against unauthorized computer access.
What should I do if I get this PT0-002 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 PT0-002 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PT0-002 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 PT0-002 exam.
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