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ISC2 CC Practice Question: A security team is designing a network for a…
A security team is designing a network for a hospital. They need to ensure that patient data is accessible to doctors only when needed, but also protected from unauthorized access. Which principle BEST balances these requirements?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the misconception that 'least privilege' is the best answer for balancing access and protection, but the trap is that least privilege is a component of confidentiality, not a principle for balancing all three CIA goals; the question specifically asks for the principle that 'best balances' the requirements, which is the CIA triad 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
✓
Balancing the CIA triad
The question asks for the principle that best balances accessibility with protection. The CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) is the foundational model for balancing these three competing priorities. In a hospital network, doctors need availability of patient data when needed, but confidentiality must protect against unauthorized access; balancing the triad means making trade-offs between these goals, such as using role-based access controls to ensure availability for authorized users while enforcing confidentiality. Option D directly addresses this balancing act, whereas the other options focus on a single aspect.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth is a layered security approach, not a principle for balancing access and protection.
- ✗
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege limits access but does not address availability requirements.
- ✗
Non-repudiation
Why it's wrong here
Non-repudiation ensures actions are traceable, not about availability.
- ✓
Balancing the CIA triad
Why this is correct
Balancing confidentiality and availability is key; doctors need timely access but unauthorized access must be prevented.
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
Role
A role is a named set of permissions that can be assigned to users or groups to control access to resources in an IT environment.
Key term
Availability
Availability is the measure of how often a system or service is operational and accessible when needed, typically expressed as a percentage of uptime.
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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.