mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CISA Practice Question: Implementing a cloud-based identity and access…
A company is implementing a cloud-based identity and access management (IAM) system. Which of the following best describes the principle of least privilege in this context?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse 'least privilege' with 'administrative convenience' or 'consistency,' mistakenly thinking that granting admin rights for troubleshooting (Option A) or uniform access (Option C) simplifies management, when in fact these practices directly violate the core security principle.
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
✓
Permissions should be granted based on the user's role and need-to-know.
The principle of least privilege dictates that users should be granted only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions, based on their role and need-to-know. In a cloud-based IAM system, this is typically implemented through role-based access control (RBAC) or attribute-based access control (ABAC), ensuring minimal exposure to sensitive resources and reducing 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.
- ✗
Users should have administrative rights for troubleshooting.
Why it's wrong here
Administrative rights exceed least privilege unless strictly necessary.
- ✗
Permissions should be revoked only when an employee leaves the company.
Why it's wrong here
Permissions should be reviewed and adjusted frequently, not just upon termination.
- ✗
All users should have the same level of access for consistency.
Why it's wrong here
Uniform access violates least privilege as it grants excessive permissions to many.
- ✓
Permissions should be granted based on the user's role and need-to-know.
Why this is correct
Correct. Least privilege aligns with role-based access and minimum necessary permissions.
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 |
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 995 original CISA practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CISA practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISACA 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 CISA exam.