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ISC2 CC Practice Question: Requires that two different administrators…
An organization requires that two different administrators approve changes to firewall rules. This is an example of which security principle?
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
✓
Separation of duties
Separation of duties requires multiple people to complete a sensitive task to reduce fraud and errors. Option C is correct. Option A (least privilege) limits permissions. Option B (defense in depth) uses layers. Option D (need-to-know) restricts data 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.
- ✗
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege is about minimal permissions, not dual approval.
- ✗
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth uses multiple security layers, not necessarily requiring multiple people.
- ✓
Separation of duties
Why this is correct
Requiring two approvals divides the task, preventing a single person from making unauthorized changes.
- ✗
Need-to-know
Why it's wrong here
The scenario requires two administrators to authorise a change, which enforces separation of duties by splitting the approval task across distinct roles. Need-to-know restricts data access based on a user's job function, not on the number of approvers required for an action. It is tempting because both principles limit access, but need-to-know would be correct when an administrator should see only the firewall rules relevant to their specific role, not when dual approval is mandated.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
Separation of duties
Separation of duties is a security principle that splits critical tasks and privileges among multiple people to prevent fraud, errors, and abuse of power.
Key term
Firewall
A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules to protect trusted internal networks from untrusted external networks.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on CC
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. An organization requires that two separate administrators approve and implement changes to firewall rules. This practice enforces which security principle?
hard- A.Least privilege
- B.Defense in depth
- C.Need to know
- ✓ D.Separation of duties
Why D: Requiring two separate administrators to approve and implement firewall rule changes enforces separation of duties. This principle ensures that no single individual has the authority to both authorize and execute a change, reducing the risk of unauthorized modifications or errors. In firewall management, this prevents a single admin from introducing malicious or misconfigured rules without oversight.
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.