ISC2 CC Access Controls Concepts Practice Question
According to NIST SP 800-63, which password policy is recommended to enhance security?
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
✓
Favor length over complexity and check against breached password lists
NIST SP 800-63 recommends favoring long passwords over complex ones and avoiding frequent forced changes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Allow passwords as short as 4 characters
Why it's wrong here
Minimum length should be 8 or more characters.
- ✗
Enforce maximum complexity with special characters and numbers
Why it's wrong here
NIST de-emphasizes complexity in favor of length.
- ✗
Require frequent password changes every 30 days
Why it's wrong here
Frequent changes are discouraged unless compromised.
- ✓
Favor length over complexity and check against breached password lists
Why this is correct
Length and breach checking are recommended by NIST.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
Password policy
A set of rules designed to enhance computer security by encouraging users to create strong, secure passwords and store them properly.
Key term
Policy
A policy is a set of rules or guidelines that defines how an organization manages, secures, and operates its IT systems and services.
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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.