easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CISA Practice Question: During a security audit, it was found that users…
During a security audit, it was found that users in the finance department have unnecessary access to HR payroll data. Which access control principle has been violated?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse 'least privilege' with 'need to know' — need to know is a subset of least privilege that focuses on data classification, but the question explicitly describes unnecessary access to a different department's data, making least privilege the broader and correct violation.
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
✓
Least privilege
The least privilege principle dictates that users should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job functions. In this scenario, finance department users have unnecessary access to HR payroll data, directly violating this principle by providing more access than required.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Mandatory access control
Why it's wrong here
MAC is a model based on labels, not a principle violated by unnecessary access.
- ✓
Least privilege
Why this is correct
Least privilege requires that users have only the minimum access necessary to perform their job functions.
- ✗
Separation of duties
Why it's wrong here
Separation of duties prevents fraud by dividing tasks, but does not address unnecessary access.
- ✗
Need to know
Why it's wrong here
Need-to-know is a part of least privilege; the core violation is excessive privileges beyond job functions.
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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.