ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
According to the (ISC)² Code of Ethics, which of the following has the highest priority?
⚠ Common exam trap
CC often tests the order of the (ISC)² canons; candidates frequently assume duty to the client (principal) is paramount, but the exam emphasizes society and public trust as the highest priority.
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 is to protect society, the common good, necessary public trust and confidence, and the infrastructure. This takes precedence over duties to principals, the profession, and self. The other canons follow in descending order.
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
Diligent, competent service to principals is the third canon, so it yields to the public-safety obligation in the preamble. It is tempting because client service defines daily practitioner work, and it would be the operative canon when no higher duty to society or the profession is implicated.
- ✗
Act honorably, honestly, justly, responsibly, and legally
Why it's wrong here
Acting honourably, honestly, justly, responsibly and legally is the second canon, subordinate to protecting society and the public trust. It is tempting because legal and ethical conduct underpins all security work, and it would govern when no conflict with public safety or principal duties arises.
- ✓
Protect society, the common good, necessary public trust and confidence, and the infrastructure
Why this is correct
The Code of Ethics ranks obligations to the public above duties to clients and employers. Protecting society, the common good, public trust and the infrastructure is the paramount imperative, so it takes precedence over all other canons when interests conflict.
- ✗
Advance and protect the profession
Why it's wrong here
Advancing and protecting the profession sits last in the (ISC)² Code's four canons, so it cannot outrank the duty to society, principals or peers. It is tempting because professional advocacy genuinely matters, and it would be the governing canon only when no higher-priority obligation is engaged.
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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.