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Quick Answer
The answer is that privileges are reviewed and revoked when no longer needed, along with granting minimum permissions and using admin accounts only for administrative tasks. This trio defines least privilege characteristics because the principle demands that users receive only the access essential for their specific job functions, thereby minimizing the attack surface and limiting damage if an account is compromised. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of access control models and privilege management, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must identify which actions uphold least privilege. A common trap is confusing “need-to-know” with “need-to-use”—remember that least privilege is about operational necessity, not just data sensitivity. To lock in these three pillars, think of the mnemonic “MAR”: Minimum permissions, Admin separation, Regular reviews.
SY0-701 General Security Concepts Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of general security concepts. 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.
Which three of the following are characteristics of the principle of least privilege? (Choose three.)
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
✓
Users are granted only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions
The principle of least privilege dictates that users should only have the minimum permissions necessary to complete their job functions, which reduces the attack surface and limits potential damage from compromised accounts. Administrative accounts should be reserved exclusively for administrative tasks to prevent accidental or malicious misuse of elevated privileges. Regularly reviewing and revoking privileges ensures that access rights remain aligned with current job requirements, preventing privilege creep.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the principle of least privilege with the concept of 'zero trust' or mistakenly think that permanent privilege grants are acceptable if initially assigned correctly, ignoring the need for ongoing review and revocation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, least privilege is enforced through mechanisms like Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) or Mandatory Access Control (MAC) in operating systems such as Windows with Active Directory or Linux with SELinux. For example, in a Windows environment, a help desk user might be granted only the 'Reset Password' permission via a delegated OU, not full Domain Admin rights. Real-world scenarios like the 2017 Equifax breach highlight how unrevoked privileges on a web server allowed lateral movement to sensitive databases.
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
General Security Concepts — This question tests General Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Users are granted only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions — The principle of least privilege dictates that users should only have the minimum permissions necessary to complete their job functions, which reduces the attack surface and limits potential damage from compromised accounts. Administrative accounts should be reserved exclusively for administrative tasks to prevent accidental or malicious misuse of elevated privileges. Regularly reviewing and revoking privileges ensures that access rights remain aligned with current job requirements, preventing privilege creep.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SY0-701 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 SY0-701 exam.
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