ISC2 CC Access Controls Concepts Practice Question
A security administrator is configuring user permissions and wants to ensure that each user has only the access rights necessary to perform their job. Which principle is being applied?
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
✓
Least privilege
Least privilege means granting only the minimum permissions needed for a user to perform their job, reducing the potential impact of a compromised account.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
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 critical tasks among multiple people to prevent fraud.
- ✗
Need to know
Why it's wrong here
Need to know restricts access to data based on job necessity, but least privilege specifically refers to minimum permissions.
- ✗
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth uses multiple overlapping controls, not a user permission principle.
- ✓
Least privilege
Why this is correct
Correct. Least privilege ensures users have only the access needed for their roles.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
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.
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.
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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.