Question 959 of 1,013
SY0-701 General Security Concepts Practice Question
Exhibit
Access request: Requester: helpdesk_27 Task: reset one user's MFA enrollment and unlock one locked account Current access: - Helpdesk_ReadOnly: view user details only - Helpdesk_Admin: unlock accounts and reset MFA for assigned tickets - Domain_Admin: full server and directory administration Proposal: - Add helpdesk_27 to Domain_Admin for 7 days so the ticket can be completed quickly.
Based on the exhibit, which access change best follows least privilege while still allowing the help desk to complete the task?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers choose Option A because it appears to limit the duration of elevated access, but they overlook that Domain_Admin membership provides far more privileges than needed for a single password reset, violating the core principle of 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
✓
Grant helpdesk_27 the Helpdesk_Admin role for the ticket and remove it after completion.
It implements Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) by granting the help desk technician a temporary, ticket-specific role (Helpdesk_Admin) that provides just enough privileges to perform the password reset without granting broader administrative rights. This follows the principle of least privilege by limiting the elevated access to the exact scope and duration needed, and the role can be automatically revoked after the ticket is closed, minimizing the attack surface.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Add helpdesk_27 to Domain_Admin for seven days, since the request is urgent and time-limited.
Why it's wrong here
This is far broader access than the task requires. Domain administration would let the technician change far more than one account and one MFA token, which increases risk significantly. A time limit helps a little, but it still violates least privilege because the permissions are excessive for the work being performed.
- ✗
Use a shared administrator password so the technician can finish the ticket without changing group memberships.
Why it's wrong here
Shared credentials remove accountability and make it impossible to attribute actions to a specific person. They also create a much larger blast radius if the password is exposed. This option is operationally convenient, but it is one of the least secure ways to grant access and does not follow least privilege.
- ✓
Grant helpdesk_27 the Helpdesk_Admin role for the ticket and remove it after completion.
Why this is correct
Granting the narrower Helpdesk_Admin role is the best least-privilege choice because it gives the technician only the permissions needed to unlock the account and reset MFA. The role is specific to the job function and can be removed after the ticket is complete. That limits exposure while still allowing the work to be finished efficiently.
- ✗
Ask the user's manager to perform the reset manually so the help desk does not need additional access.
Why it's wrong here
This avoids granting permissions, but it is not the most practical or secure operational answer because it shifts work to someone who may not have the right tools or training. Least privilege is about giving the correct limited access to the right role, not simply avoiding access requests altogether. The help desk role already exists for this purpose.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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