The answer is creating a security group with a time-based membership that expires automatically after 30 days. This is correct because Active Directory supports time-based group membership through the `memberTimeToLive` attribute, introduced in Windows Server 2016 and later, which allows you to automate temporary access by setting an exact expiration duration for group members. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this concept tests your understanding of efficient access control automation versus manual methods like password changes or calendar reminders—a common trap is choosing a manual approach that requires ongoing administrative effort. Remember that time-based group membership is the only option that enforces automatic removal without human intervention. For a memory tip, think “TTL for groups”: just as a DNS record has a time-to-live, Active Directory groups can have a `memberTimeToLive` to self-clean temporary members.
ISC2 CC Access Controls Concepts Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of access controls concepts. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 uses Active Directory and wants to grant a group of temporary interns access to a shared folder for exactly 30 days. Which access control approach is most efficient?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a security group with a time-based membership that expires automatically after 30 days.
Option B is correct because Active Directory supports time-based group membership via the `memberTimeToLive` attribute (introduced in Windows Server 2016 and later), which allows a security group to be configured so that members are automatically removed after a specified duration. This eliminates manual intervention and ensures the interns lose access exactly after 30 days without requiring password changes or calendar reminders.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Use a group managed service account with a 30-day password expiration.
Why it's wrong here
Service accounts are not for user access; password expiration does not remove permissions.
✓
Create a security group with a time-based membership that expires automatically after 30 days.
Why this is correct
Time-based group membership automates access lifecycle, aligning with least privilege.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Assign each intern directly to the folder permissions and set a calendar reminder to revoke.
Why it's wrong here
Direct assignment and manual revocation is inefficient and risky.
✗
Create a security group, add interns, and manually remove them after 30 days.
Why it's wrong here
Manual removal is error-prone and not efficient.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the misconception that manual processes (like calendar reminders or manual removal) are acceptable for temporary access, when in fact Active Directory provides an automated, policy-driven mechanism (time-based group membership) that is both more efficient and more secure.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Time-based group membership in Active Directory uses the `ms-DS-MembershipExpiryDate` attribute (or the `memberTimeToLive` LDAP control) to automatically remove members from a security group after a defined period. This is implemented via the `dsmod group` command or PowerShell's `Set-ADGroup` with the `-MemberTimeToLive` parameter, which sets a TTL in seconds (e.g., 2,592,000 for 30 days). Under the hood, the Active Directory garbage collection process periodically evaluates expired memberships and removes them, ensuring consistent enforcement without manual cleanup.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CC question in full detail.
Access Controls Concepts — This question tests Access Controls Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a security group with a time-based membership that expires automatically after 30 days. — Option B is correct because Active Directory supports time-based group membership via the `memberTimeToLive` attribute (introduced in Windows Server 2016 and later), which allows a security group to be configured so that members are automatically removed after a specified duration. This eliminates manual intervention and ensures the interns lose access exactly after 30 days without requiring password changes or calendar reminders.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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