Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A defense contractor is deploying a new document management system that will store classified military intelligence. The security policy requires that user access to each document is strictly determined by the document's classification label (e.g., Confidential, Secret, Top Secret) and the user's verified security clearance level. Furthermore, system administrators must not be able to change these access rules or grant themselves access to documents above their clearance. Which access control model is best suited for this requirement?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
DAC allows the owner of a resource to set permissions. This would permit administrators to override clearance restrictions, which violates the policy's requirement.
B
Distractor review
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
RBAC assigns permissions based on job roles, not on clearance levels. It does not inherently enforce a mandatory policy based on classification labels, and administrators could modify role assignments.
C
Best answer
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
MAC is the correct model. It uses system-enforced security labels (clearance for users, classification for documents) and prevents any user, including administrators, from overriding the access rules.
D
Distractor review
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
ABAC evaluates attributes to make access decisions, but the policies are typically configurable by administrators. It does not provide the mandatory, non-overridable enforcement required by the clearance-based policy.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
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Question 2
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Question 5
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Mandatory Access Control (MAC) — This scenario describes Mandatory Access Control (MAC), where access decisions are based on fixed security labels assigned to subjects (users) and objects (documents) by a central authority. MAC enforces the system-wide policy and prevents even administrators from overriding the clearance-based restrictions. This is in contrast to DAC, where resource owners set permissions; RBAC, which uses roles rather than clearance levels; and ABAC, which evaluates attributes but does not inherently enforce a mandatory, non-overridable policy.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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