easyMultiple Choice
ISC2 CC Practice Question: An organization's security policy requires that…
An organization's security policy requires that all employees change their passwords every 90 days. This is an example of which type of security control?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between preventive and deterrent controls, where candidates mistakenly classify password policies as deterrent because they 'discourage' sharing, but the key is that password expiration actively blocks access, not just discourages behavior.
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
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Preventive control
Password expiration policies, such as requiring a change every 90 days, are classified as preventive controls because they proactively reduce the risk of credential compromise by limiting the window of opportunity for an attacker to use a stolen or guessed password. This control enforces a security baseline before any unauthorized access can occur, directly preventing prolonged use of compromised credentials.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Deterrent control
Why it's wrong here
Password expiry is a preventive administrative control: it reduces credential compromise by limiting password lifetime. Deterrent controls discourage attackers through fear of consequences, such as warning banners or legal notices threatening prosecution. Expiry changes no attacker behaviour through deterrence; it constrains credential validity.
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Detective control
Why it's wrong here
Password expiry prevents credential misuse by shortening the window a compromised password remains valid; it does not detect anything. Detective controls identify events after they occur, such as log monitoring or intrusion detection alerts. Expiry generates no alert or record of malicious activity.
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Preventive control
Why this is correct
Mandatory 90-day password rotation is an administrative preventive control: it enforces a policy before access occurs, reducing the window in which a compromised credential remains valid. It satisfies the stem's requirement to classify the control type, not to detect or correct incidents after they happen.
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Corrective control
Why it's wrong here
Password expiry is preventive, reducing the usable lifetime of compromised credentials before misuse occurs. Corrective controls restore systems after an incident, such as backups, patching or reimaging. Expiry neither reverses damage nor remediates a breach already underway.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Access Control Fundamentals
Key term
Security control
A security control is a safeguard or countermeasure designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information systems and data.
Key term
Baseline
A baseline is a documented starting point for the normal performance and behavior of a system, network, or component, used to detect changes and troubleshoot issues.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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