ISC2 CC Access Controls Concepts Practice Question
A system administrator uses a separate administrative account with elevated privileges only when performing system maintenance, and uses a standard user account for daily activities like email. This practice aligns with which principle?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse least privilege with separation of duties; candidates often think that using two different accounts is separation of duties, but separation of duties requires two people, not two accounts for one person.
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 scenario describes using a separate administrative account with elevated privileges only for system maintenance, while using a standard user account for daily activities like email. This aligns with the principle of least privilege, which dictates that users should be granted only the minimum access rights necessary to perform their job functions, and only for the duration needed. By not using the admin account for routine tasks, the administrator reduces the attack surface and potential damage from accidental or malicious actions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Need-to-know
Why it's wrong here
Need-to-know restricts access to specific information required for a task; it does not address separating administrative from standard accounts. It tempts because both limit what a user may reach, and need-to-know would be correct if the administrator were denied access to unrelated data.
- ✗
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth layers multiple independent controls so one failure cannot compromise the system; it does not describe using separate accounts with differing privilege levels. It tempts because layered controls and privilege separation both reduce risk, and defense in depth would be correct if several distinct safeguards protected one asset.
- ✓
Least privilege
Why this is correct
Least privilege grants only the rights needed for the current task, so the administrator uses a standard account daily and elevates only for maintenance. This limits exposure from compromised sessions, matching the stem's separate-account practise.
- ✗
Separation of duties
Why it's wrong here
Separation of duties splits a sensitive task across two or more people so no single individual completes it alone, which is not what the stem describes. It is tempting because both concepts govern account usage, but using a separate elevated account for maintenance is least privilege, limiting standing rights to the minimum needed.
Go deeper
Related to this question
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 account
A user account is a digital identity that allows a person to access a computer system, network, or application with specific permissions and settings.
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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.