hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
ISC2 CC Practice Question: A company's security policy requires that all…
A company's security policy requires that all sensitive data be encrypted at rest and in transit. However, a recent breach occurred because an attacker exploited a misconfigured web server that exposed a database directly. Which principle was most lacking in this scenario?
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
✓
Defense in depth
Efense in depth because it emphasizes multiple layers of security controls. A single misconfiguration exposed the database directly, indicating a lack of layered defenses. The other principles: Least privilege (A) is about limiting permissions, Fail securely (B) is about ensuring secure states on failure, and Complete mediation (C) is about checking every access. Therefore, defense in depth was most lacking.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege was not the primary missing principle.
- ✗
Fail securely
Why it's wrong here
Fail securely ensures security on failure, not relevant here.
- ✗
Complete mediation
Why it's wrong here
Complete mediation checks every access, but the issue was lack of layers.
- ✓
Defense in depth
Why this is correct
Defense in depth would have prevented single point of failure.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
Misconfiguration
Misconfiguration is when a system, device, or software is set up incorrectly, leaving it vulnerable to attack or causing it to malfunction.
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.
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Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on CC
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company has implemented a policy where all employees must use a smart card and PIN to access the data center. Which security principle does this practice support?
easy- A.Keep it simple
- ✓ B.Defense in depth
- C.Least privilege
- D.Fail-safe
Why B: The use of both a smart card (something you have) and a PIN (something you know) creates a multi-factor authentication mechanism. This layered approach ensures that even if one factor is compromised, the other still provides protection, which is the core of the defense-in-depth principle. Defense in depth is about implementing multiple, overlapping security controls rather than relying on a single point of defense.
Variation 2. A company's security policy requires that all sensitive data be encrypted both at rest and in transit. This is an example of applying which security principle?
medium- A.Separation of duties
- B.Need to know
- C.Least privilege
- ✓ D.Defense in depth
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.