This CC practice question tests your understanding of security principles. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
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?
Separation of duties
Why wrong: Separation of duties divides responsibilities, not data encryption.
Need to know
Why wrong: Need to know limits information access, not encryption.
Least privilege
Why wrong: Least privilege is about access restrictions, not data protection at multiple states.
Defense in depth
Encrypting data at rest and in transit provides multiple layers of protection, a key element of defense in depth.
Answer choices
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
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Separation of duties
Why it's wrong here
Separation of duties divides responsibilities, not data encryption.
Need to know
Why it's wrong here
Need to know limits information access, not encryption.
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege is about access restrictions, not data protection at multiple states.
Defense in depth
Why this is correct
Encrypting data at rest and in transit provides multiple layers of protection, a key element of defense in depth.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CC questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Security Principles — This question tests Security Principles — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: Defense in depth
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CC questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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