easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
ISC2 CC Practice Question: A help desk technician needs to reset a user's…
A help desk technician needs to reset a user's password, but the security policy requires that the technician does not know the new password. Which access control concept prevents the technician from knowing the password?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between 'least privilege' and 'need to know' by presenting a scenario where a user has permissions but should not know the data, leading candidates to mistakenly choose least privilege because it sounds similar, when 'need to know' specifically addresses knowledge of the information itself.
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
✓
Need to know
The 'need to know' concept restricts access to information based on whether the user requires that information to perform their job functions. In this scenario, the technician must reset the password but does not need to know the new password itself, so the policy enforces that the technician cannot view or retain the new password. This is distinct from least privilege, which limits permissions to the minimum necessary, but does not inherently prevent knowledge of the password if the technician has the reset permission.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Discretionary access control (DAC)
Why it's wrong here
DAC allows resource owners to control access; it does not address password knowledge.
- ✓
Need to know
Why this is correct
Need to know ensures users only access information required for their job tasks.
- ✗
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege restricts permissions, not knowledge of information.
- ✗
Separation of duties
Why it's wrong here
Separation of duties requires multiple people for sensitive tasks, but does not directly address knowledge of passwords.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
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
Security policy
A security policy is a formal set of rules and guidelines that an organization establishes to protect its information assets and technology resources.
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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.