ISC Security Planning And Engineering Practice Question
In a Zero Trust architecture, what is the most critical function of a Policy Decision Point (PDP)?
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
✓
Evaluate access requests based on context, identity, and policy to issue a decision.
The PDP is the central engine that evaluates requests against security policies and context to make an 'allow' or 'deny' decision.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enforce the access decision on the network resource.
Why it's wrong here
The Policy Enforcement Point (PEP) enforces the decision, not the PDP.
- ✗
Monitor network traffic for anomalous behavior.
Why it's wrong here
Monitoring is typically handled by SIEM or IDS/IPS solutions.
- ✗
Store user authentication credentials.
Why it's wrong here
Credential storage is the function of an Identity Provider (IdP).
- ✓
Evaluate access requests based on context, identity, and policy to issue a decision.
Why this is correct
This is the core definition and function of a PDP in a Zero Trust framework.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official (ISC)² exam blueprint
This ISC practice question is part of Courseiva's free (ISC)² 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 ISC exam.