ISC2 CC Access Controls Concepts Practice Question
A user enters a username and password to access a system. Which phase of the access control process does entering the username represent?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is conflating identification with authentication — candidates see 'username and password' and pick authentication, forgetting that the username alone is the identification step.
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
✓
Identification
Entering a username is the act of claiming an identity to the system, which is the identification phase. Authentication is the subsequent step where the password is verified to prove that claimed identity.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Accounting
Why it's wrong here
Accounting logs and records activity after access is granted; it does not cover submitting an identity claim. Entering a username is identification, the phase where a subject asserts who they are, preceding authentication, which verifies that claim.
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Authentication
Why it's wrong here
Authentication verifies an identity claim, so it covers the password, not the username alone. Entering a username is identification: asserting who you are before any proof is checked. It is tempting because authentication and identification are commonly conflated, and authentication would be correct if the question asked which phase validates the supplied credential.
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Authorisation
Why it's wrong here
Authorisation determines which resources an authenticated identity may access, and it occurs after identification and authentication complete. A username alone grants no permissions. It is tempting because authorisation is the phase where access decisions are enforced, and it would be correct if the question asked which phase checks whether a verified user may open a specific file.
- ✓
Identification
Why this is correct
Entering a username asserts a claimed identity to the system, which is the identification phase. Authentication would then verify that claim via the password. The username alone is an identifier, not proof, so it maps to identification within the access control process.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Authentication and Authorization Methods
Key term
Authentication
Authentication is the process of verifying that someone or something is who or what it claims to be before granting access to a system or resource.
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.
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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
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