ISC2 CC Access Controls Concepts Practice Question
A company implements a policy where no single employee can approve a purchase order over $10,000. Instead, two managers must jointly approve it. Which security principle does this practice exemplify?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is that candidates may confuse separation of duties with least privilege or defense in depth, but the key differentiator is the requirement for multiple people to complete a task, which is the essence of separation of duties.
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
✓
Separation of duties
Separation of duties is a security principle that prevents a single individual from having control over all aspects of a critical transaction. By requiring two managers to jointly approve a purchase order over $10,000, the company ensures that no single person can commit fraud or error without detection. This is a classic example of separation of duties, also known as segregation of duties.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Need-to-know
Why it's wrong here
Need-to-know limits access to information required for a task; this control instead requires two independent approvals before a transaction proceeds, which is separation of duties. It is tempting because both restrict who may act, but need-to-know governs data access, whereas the stem addresses splitting authority over one financial process.
- ✗
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth layers independent controls so one failure does not compromise the system; this policy instead divides a single approval action between two people, which is separation of duties. It is tempting because dual approval adds a control, but defense in depth concerns overlapping technical layers, not splitting authority for one transaction.
- ✓
Separation of duties
Why this is correct
Separation of duties splits a sensitive transaction across two people so no single employee holds end-to-end authority. Requiring two managers to jointly approve orders above $10,000 enforces exactly this: the approval capability is divided, preventing one person from committing fraud or error unchecked.
- ✗
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege grants users only the access their role requires; this policy instead prevents one person completing a sensitive transaction alone, which is separation of duties. It is tempting because both limit individual power, but least privilege restricts permissions, whereas the stem splits approval authority between two managers.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Access Control Fundamentals
Key term
Policy
A policy is a set of rules or guidelines that defines how an organization manages, secures, and operates its IT systems and services.
Key term
Detection
Detection is the process of identifying potential security incidents or anomalies by analyzing system data, logs, and network traffic.
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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 ISC2 exam blueprint
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CC exam.