Quick Answer
The answer is authorization. In the AAA framework, authorization is the component that determines what resources an authenticated user can access, operating after authentication has verified the user’s identity. It enforces policies—such as those defined in a local database or via protocols like RADIUS or TACACS+—to permit or deny access to specific network services, commands, or resources. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this concept tests your understanding of the logical sequence of AAA, and a common trap is confusing authorization with authentication, which only verifies who you are. Remember that authentication asks “Who are you?” while authorization asks “What are you allowed to do?” A simple memory tip is to think of the “A” in authorization as standing for “access rights,” helping you recall that it controls permissions after identity is confirmed.
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.
Which component of the AAA framework determines what resources an authenticated user can access?
Auditing
Why wrong: Auditing is not a component of AAA; it is related but separate.
Accounting
Why wrong: Accounting logs activities.
Authorization
Authorization determines access rights.
Authentication
Why wrong: Authentication verifies identity.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Authorization
Authorization is the component of the AAA (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting) framework that determines what resources an authenticated user can access. After authentication verifies the user's identity, authorization enforces policies—such as those defined in a local database or via RADIUS/TACACS+—to permit or deny access to specific network services, commands, or resources.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Auditing
Why it's wrong here
Auditing is not a component of AAA; it is related but separate.
Accounting
Why it's wrong here
Accounting logs activities.
Authorization
Why this is correct
Authorization determines access rights.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Authentication
Why it's wrong here
Authentication verifies identity.
Common exam traps
ISC2 often tests the distinction between authentication and authorization by presenting a scenario where a user is successfully logged in but cannot access a resource, and candidates mistakenly blame authentication instead of recognizing that authorization is the missing step.
Detailed technical explanation
In Cisco IOS, authorization is implemented via the 'aaa authorization' command, which can use a RADIUS or TACACS+ server to return attribute-value pairs (AV pairs) that define permitted commands or network services. For example, TACACS+ allows per-command authorization, while RADIUS typically authorizes at the service level (e.g., 'lcp:interface-config'). A subtle behavior: if authorization is configured but the server is unreachable, the fallback method (e.g., 'if-authenticated' or 'local') determines whether access is granted or denied.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
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FAQ
Access Controls Concepts — This question tests Access Controls Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Authorization — Authorization is the component of the AAA (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting) framework that determines what resources an authenticated user can access. After authentication verifies the user's identity, authorization enforces policies—such as those defined in a local database or via RADIUS/TACACS+—to permit or deny access to specific network services, commands, or resources.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which THREE components are part of the AAA framework?
hardWhy A: Authentication is correct because the AAA framework (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) uses authentication to verify the identity of a user or device before granting access. This is typically done via credentials such as username/password, digital certificates, or tokens, and is the first step in the AAA process.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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