ISC2 CC Access Controls Concepts Practice Question
According to modern password guidance from NIST SP 800-63, which of the following is the most important factor when setting password requirements?
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
✓
Enforcing a minimum length of at least 8 characters
NIST SP 800-63 recommends favoring password length over complexity, with a minimum of 8 characters (or 15+ for high assurance) and avoiding frequent forced changes unless compromised.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Requiring a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters
Why it's wrong here
Complexity is less important than length according to NIST.
- ✗
Using randomly generated passwords
Why it's wrong here
While good, length is the most important factor per NIST.
- ✗
Changing passwords every 30 days
Why it's wrong here
Frequent mandatory changes are discouraged unless there is evidence of compromise.
- ✓
Enforcing a minimum length of at least 8 characters
Why this is correct
Length is prioritized, with 8 characters minimum (15+ for high assurance).
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This CC question is part of Courseiva's 976-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.