easyMultiple Choice
ISC2 CC Practice Question: A security analyst notices that a user has been…
A security analyst notices that a user has been granted access to files beyond their job function. Which principle is violated?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse least privilege with accountability or authentication; candidates may pick accountability because they associate 'access' with logging, but the question is about the scope of permissions granted.
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
The principle of least privilege states that users should be granted only the minimum access rights necessary to perform their job functions. Granting access to files beyond that scope directly violates this principle. This is a foundational access control concept in security frameworks like ISO 27001 and NIST.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Least privilege
Why this is correct
Least privilege grants users only the minimum access needed for their role. Granting access beyond job function directly violates this principle, since permissions exceed what the user's duties require. The other principles address different concerns, such as separation of duties or defence in depth, not excessive entitlement.
- ✗
Authentication
Why it's wrong here
Authentication verifies identity through credentials such as passwords, tokens or certificates; the user here authenticated successfully, so that control worked. It is tempting because access begins with login, but the failure is over-permissioning after identity is confirmed, which least privilege addresses rather than authentication mechanisms.
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Non-repudiation
Why it's wrong here
Non-repudiation proves a party performed an action, typically via digital signatures or audit logs; it does not govern how much access a user holds. It is tempting because logging supports investigations, but the scenario describes excessive permissions, which is the least-privilege principle, not proof of who did what.
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Accountability
Why it's wrong here
Accountability ties actions to an identified subject through logging and audit trails; it does not limit which files a user may open. It is tempting because excessive access is often detected via logs, but the violation is granting rights beyond job function, which least privilege prevents, not recording who did what.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Access Control Fundamentals
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
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 and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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.