- A
Account lockout
Correct. Account lockout triggers after a set number of failures.
- B
Session timeout
Why wrong: Session timeout addresses idle sessions, not brute force.
- C
Password complexity
Why wrong: Complexity does not prevent repeated guessing.
- D
Least privilege
Why wrong: Least privilege limits permissions, not authentication attempts.
Question 44 of 1,000
ISC2 CC Access Controls Concepts Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of access controls concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 security analyst notices multiple failed login attempts from a single IP address within a short period. Which control would best mitigate this brute force attack?
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
✓
Account lockout
Account lockout disables an account after a threshold of failed attempts, thwarting brute force attacks.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Account lockout
Why this is correct
Correct. Account lockout triggers after a set number of failures.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Session timeout
Why it's wrong here
Session timeout addresses idle sessions, not brute force.
- ✗
Password complexity
Why it's wrong here
Complexity does not prevent repeated guessing.
- ✗
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege limits permissions, not authentication attempts.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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
Questions learners often ask
What does this CC question test?
Access Controls Concepts — This question tests Access Controls Concepts — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Account lockout — Account lockout disables an account after a threshold of failed attempts, thwarting brute force attacks.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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