GSEC Windows Access Controls Practice Question
A junior administrator is setting up a shared folder on a Windows Server 2022 member server. The folder will be accessed by a group called 'SalesTeam'. The administrator wants to ensure that members of SalesTeam can read and write files, but cannot change permissions or take ownership. Which NTFS permission should the administrator assign to the SalesTeam group?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse the Modify permission with Full Control, forgetting that Modify excludes the ability to change permissions or take ownership.
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
✓
Modify
The Modify permission provides the necessary read and write access without granting the ability to change permissions or take ownership. It is the standard choice for groups that need to collaborate on files. Full Control would be excessive, while Write and Read & execute each lack essential capabilities for the scenario.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Write
Why it's wrong here
The Write permission allows creating and modifying files but does not include Read & execute. Users would be unable to read files they need to work with. The scenario requires read and write access, so Write alone is insufficient. It also lacks Delete, which may be needed for normal file management.
- ✗
Read & execute
Why it's wrong here
Read & execute allows viewing and running files but not modifying them. SalesTeam members need to write files, so this permission is too restrictive. It would prevent them from saving changes or creating new files. The administrator needs a permission that includes both read and write capabilities.
- ✗
Full Control
Why it's wrong here
Full Control grants all permissions, including Change permissions and Take ownership. This would allow SalesTeam members to modify ACLs and take ownership, which exceeds the requirement. The administrator explicitly wants to prevent those actions, so Full Control is too permissive and would violate the principle of least privilege.
- ✓
Modify
Why this is correct
The Modify permission includes Read & execute, Write, and Delete, but does not include Change permissions or Take ownership. This allows SalesTeam members to read and write files without the ability to alter ACLs or ownership. It is the appropriate standard permission for collaborative file access where users need to edit content but not manage security.
About these practice questions
This GSEC question is part of Courseiva's 351-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official GIAC exam blueprint
This GSEC practice question is part of Courseiva's free GIAC 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 GSEC exam.