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ISC2 CC Practice Question: Enforce access based on attributes such as time…
A company needs to enforce access based on attributes such as time of day and location. Which access control model is most appropriate?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between RBAC and ABAC by presenting a scenario with dynamic attributes (like time/location) — candidates mistakenly choose RBAC because they associate roles with access control, but RBAC cannot evaluate contextual attributes without additional mechanisms.
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
✓
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) is the correct choice because it evaluates policies based on multiple attributes (e.g., time of day, location, user role, device type) at runtime. This allows fine-grained, context-aware access decisions, such as permitting access only during business hours from a corporate office. ABAC uses a policy engine to evaluate attribute-based rules, making it ideal for dynamic environments where access depends on environmental conditions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Why this is correct
ABAC evaluates policies against attributes such as time of day and location, so access decisions adapt to contextual conditions. Role-based or rule-based models cannot natively express these dynamic environmental attributes, making ABAC the fit for the stated requirement.
- ✗
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why it's wrong here
MAC assigns sensitivity labels to objects and clearances to subjects, so access follows classification rather than time or location. It is tempting because MAC enforces strict, centrally controlled access, and it would be correct in environments such as government or military systems requiring mandatory classification-based control.
- ✗
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Why it's wrong here
DAC lets resource owners grant permissions at their discretion, so it cannot evaluate time-of-day or location attributes. It is tempting because DAC is the familiar model behind file permissions, and it would be correct where owners must control access to their own resources without central policy.
- ✗
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
RBAC grants permissions through job roles, not runtime attributes such as time or location, so it cannot evaluate those conditions. It is tempting because roles scale cleanly and RBAC would be correct when access maps to organisational function rather than contextual attributes.
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
Learn chapter
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
Key term
Least privilege
Least privilege is a security principle that means giving users, systems, or programs only the minimum permissions they need to do their job and nothing more.
Key term
ABAC
ABAC (Attribute-Based Access Control) is a method of controlling access to resources by evaluating a set of attributes (such as user role, time, location, and device) against policy rules, rather than using static roles or identities.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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