ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
According to the (ISC)² Code of Ethics, which canon has the highest priority?
⚠ Common exam trap
CC often tests the misconception that 'serving the client/principal' is the top ethical duty, when in fact protecting society and the common good always outranks obligations to principals or the profession.
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
✓
Protect society, the common good, necessary public trust and confidence, and the infrastructure
The (ISC)² Code of Ethics Canons are ordered by priority, and the first canon — 'Protect society, the common good, necessary public trust and confidence, and the infrastructure' — takes precedence over all others. This reflects the profession's obligation to place the safety and welfare of society above client interests and professional advancement. When canons conflict, the higher-priority canon must guide the decision.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Provide diligent and competent service to principals
Why it's wrong here
The Code of Ethics orders canons by priority: protect society and the public trust outranks duty to principals. This option sits lower in that hierarchy, so it cannot be the highest. It is tempting because competent service to principals is a genuine canon, and would be the answer if the question asked about professional duties rather than the top-priority canon.
- ✗
Advance and protect the profession
Why it's wrong here
Advancing and protecting the profession ranks fourth in the (ISC)² canon order, below protecting society and the infrastructure, acting honourably, and serving principals diligently. It tempts because professional advocacy sounds foundational, yet the canons explicitly subordinate it to public safety and client duties.
- ✗
Act honorably, honestly, justly, responsibly, and legally
Why it's wrong here
This is the second canon.
- ✓
Protect society, the common good, necessary public trust and confidence, and the infrastructure
Why this is correct
The (ISC)² Code of Ethics orders its canons so that protecting society, the common good, public trust and the infrastructure ranks first, above duties to principals, the profession and colleagues. This canon therefore takes precedence when obligations conflict, satisfying the stem's highest-priority requirement.
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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.