- A
Deploy a database activity monitoring (DAM) solution that alerts on unusual queries, and require strong passwords for all database accounts.
Why wrong: Monitoring detects but does not prevent; strong passwords don't stop terminated accounts.
- B
Implement a firewall rule to block all traffic from the marketing network to the database server, and require all database access to go through a bastion host.
Why wrong: This only addresses network segregation, not the account disablement issue.
- C
Integrate HR system with identity management to automatically disable accounts upon termination, and implement network segmentation with a firewall that restricts database access to only authorized application servers.
Automated account disablement prevents use of terminated accounts; segmentation limits lateral movement.
- D
Implement two-factor authentication for all database access, and conduct quarterly access reviews.
Why wrong: 2FA helps but does not prevent if account is still active; quarterly reviews are too infrequent.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is the combination of integrating HR systems with identity management to automate account disablement on termination and implementing network segmentation with a firewall that restricts database access to only authorized application servers. This solution directly addresses both root causes: the failure to disable the former employee’s account in time and the overly permissive network access that allowed any internal IP to reach the MySQL database. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the principle of defense in depth—specifically, that preventing post-termination access requires both a procedural control (automated provisioning/deprovisioning) and a technical control (network segmentation and least privilege). A common trap is choosing a monitoring-only solution, which detects but does not prevent the incident. Remember the mnemonic “Auto and Block”: automate the disablement, then block the network path.
ISC2 CC Access Controls Concepts Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of access controls concepts. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
You are the security administrator for a mid-sized e-commerce company. The company uses a Linux-based web server running Apache, with a MySQL database backend. User authentication is handled via LDAP. Recently, the security team discovered that a former employee's account was used to access the customer database two weeks after the employee was terminated. The account had not been disabled. The database contains personally identifiable information (PII). The incident was traced to an internal IP address from the marketing department. The marketing department's network segment is not segregated from the database server. Additionally, the database server's firewall rules allow any internal IP to connect to the MySQL port (3306). The company has a written policy that accounts must be disabled within 24 hours of termination, but the HR department did not notify IT in a timely manner. Which combination of controls would BEST prevent a recurrence of this incident?
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
Integrate HR system with identity management to automatically disable accounts upon termination, and implement network segmentation with a firewall that restricts database access to only authorized application servers.
Option B addresses both the user provisioning issue (automated account disablement) and the network access issue (segmentation and least privilege). Option A only addresses one aspect. Option C focuses on monitoring but not prevention. Option D adds unnecessary complexity and does not directly fix the root causes.
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.
- ✗
Deploy a database activity monitoring (DAM) solution that alerts on unusual queries, and require strong passwords for all database accounts.
Why it's wrong here
Monitoring detects but does not prevent; strong passwords don't stop terminated accounts.
- ✗
Implement a firewall rule to block all traffic from the marketing network to the database server, and require all database access to go through a bastion host.
Why it's wrong here
This only addresses network segregation, not the account disablement issue.
- ✓
Integrate HR system with identity management to automatically disable accounts upon termination, and implement network segmentation with a firewall that restricts database access to only authorized application servers.
Why this is correct
Automated account disablement prevents use of terminated accounts; segmentation limits lateral movement.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Implement two-factor authentication for all database access, and conduct quarterly access reviews.
Why it's wrong here
2FA helps but does not prevent if account is still active; quarterly reviews are too infrequent.
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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
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.
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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: Integrate HR system with identity management to automatically disable accounts upon termination, and implement network segmentation with a firewall that restricts database access to only authorized application servers. — Option B addresses both the user provisioning issue (automated account disablement) and the network access issue (segmentation and least privilege). Option A only addresses one aspect. Option C focuses on monitoring but not prevention. Option D adds unnecessary complexity and does not directly fix the root causes.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 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.
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