- A
Sharing the root password among all administrators for convenience
Why wrong: Sharing passwords undermines accountability and security.
- B
Storing privileged passwords in an unencrypted text file
Why wrong: Plaintext storage is insecure and violates best practices.
- C
Applying the principle of least privilege to admin accounts
Admins should only have permissions necessary for their role.
- D
Using separate administrative accounts for daily tasks and privileged tasks
Separate accounts reduce risk of privilege misuse.
- E
Implementing session recording and monitoring of privileged activities
Monitoring provides audit trails and detects misuse.
Question 81 of 1,000
ISC2 CC Access Controls Concepts Practice Question
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.
An organization is designing a privileged access management (PAM) solution. Which THREE of the following are best practices for managing privileged accounts? (Select three.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
✓
Applying the principle of least privilege to admin accounts
PAM best practices include using separate admin accounts, monitoring privileged sessions, and applying least privilege. Sharing passwords and storing them in plaintext are security risks.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Sharing the root password among all administrators for convenience
Why it's wrong here
Sharing passwords undermines accountability and security.
- ✗
Storing privileged passwords in an unencrypted text file
Why it's wrong here
Plaintext storage is insecure and violates best practices.
- ✓
Applying the principle of least privilege to admin accounts
Why this is correct
Admins should only have permissions necessary for their role.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Using separate administrative accounts for daily tasks and privileged tasks
Why this is correct
Separate accounts reduce risk of privilege misuse.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Implementing session recording and monitoring of privileged activities
Why this is correct
Monitoring provides audit trails and detects misuse.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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. Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CC questions on access control and AAA configuration.
- →
Access Controls Concepts — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Access Controls Concepts practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All CC questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
CC practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related CC practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Security Principles practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to Security Principles.
Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, and Incident Response practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, and Incident Response.
Access Controls Concepts practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to Access Controls Concepts.
Security Operations practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to Security Operations.
Network Security practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to Network Security.
Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response.
CC fundamentals practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to CC fundamentals.
CC scenario practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to CC scenario.
CC troubleshooting practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to CC troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free CC practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CC question test?
Access Controls Concepts — This question tests Access Controls Concepts — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Applying the principle of least privilege to admin accounts — PAM best practices include using separate admin accounts, monitoring privileged sessions, and applying least privilege. Sharing passwords and storing them in plaintext are security risks.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CC questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.