hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
ISC2 CC Practice Question: A company uses a mandatory access control (MAC)…
A company uses a mandatory access control (MAC) system where all files are labeled 'Confidential', 'Secret', or 'Top Secret'. A user with 'Secret' clearance tries to read a 'Top Secret' file. What is the outcome?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the misconception that 'need to know' or user role overrides clearance in MAC, but MAC strictly enforces clearance versus classification without considering discretionary permissions or need.
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
✓
Access is denied because the user's clearance is lower than the file's classification
In a mandatory access control (MAC) system, access decisions are based on comparing the user's clearance level with the file's classification label. Since the user has 'Secret' clearance and the file is labeled 'Top Secret', the clearance is lower than the file's classification, so access is denied. This follows the fundamental MAC principle of 'no read up' (simple security property) in Bell-LaPadula model.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Access is allowed because the user has a legitimate need
Why it's wrong here
Need-to-know is considered after clearance, but clearance must be at least equal to classification.
- ✓
Access is denied because the user's clearance is lower than the file's classification
Why this is correct
The simple security property prohibits reading up.
- ✗
Access is denied only if the file also has a category
Why it's wrong here
The classification alone is sufficient to deny; categories add further restrictions.
- ✗
Access is allowed because the user has Secret clearance
Why it's wrong here
Secret is lower than Top Secret, so reading up is denied.
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
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
Key term
Access control
Access control is the security practice of determining who or what is allowed to view, use, or enter a resource, and under what conditions.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every CC question from scratch — 976 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.