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Access Controls Concepts

Practise ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC Access Controls Concepts practice questions — original exam-style scenarios with answer choices, explanations, and analysis of common mistakes.

110 questions26 easy52 medium32 hard

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What this domain covers

What to know about Access Controls Concepts

Access Controls Concepts questions test whether you can apply the concept in context, not just recognise a definition.

How the topic appears in realistic exam-style scenarios.

Which detail in the question changes the correct answer.

How to eliminate plausible but wrong options.

How to connect the question back to the wider exam objective.

Watch out for

Common Access Controls Concepts exam traps

  • Answering from memory before reading the full scenario.
  • Missing a constraint such as cost, availability, security, scope or command context.
  • Choosing a broad answer when the question asks for the most specific fix.
  • Ignoring why the wrong options are tempting.

Question index

All Access Controls Concepts questions (110)

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1

Which of the following is the primary purpose of a visitor log and escort policy?

Medium
2

A security administrator is configuring access rights for a new employee. Which principle ensures the employee is granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job duties?

Easy
3

According to NIST SP 800-63 recommendations for password policies, which THREE practices are recommended? (Select THREE.)

Hard
4

According to NIST SP 800-63, which password policy is most recommended?

Medium
5

In Active Directory, a GPO is used to enforce a policy that automatically locks user sessions after 15 minutes of inactivity. This is an example of which type of access control?

Medium
6

A security analyst notices multiple failed login attempts from a single IP address within a short period. Which control would best mitigate this brute force attack?

Medium
7

An organization wants to implement defense in depth for its server room. Which THREE controls should be included?

Hard
8

Which access control principle restricts access to data based on the user's job role and tasks?

Easy
9

An organisation implements an account lockout policy that locks an account after 5 failed login attempts within 15 minutes. This control is designed to prevent:

Medium
10

An organization is designing a privileged access management (PAM) solution. Which THREE of the following are best practices for managing privileged accounts? (Select three.)

Hard
11

An employee is assigned a user account with read-only access to the sales database. However, the employee's job requires viewing only customer contact information, not sales figures. Which access control principle is being violated?

Hard
12

Which of the following is an example of a logical access control?

Easy
13

In the identification and authentication process, which step occurs first?

Easy
14

What is the process of claiming an identity called?

Easy
15

A system administrator has an account with full administrative privileges. To reduce risk, the organization implements a policy requiring the admin to use a separate, non-privileged account for daily tasks like email and web browsing. This practice aligns with which principle?

Medium
16

Which access control principle ensures that a user is granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job functions?

Easy
17

An organization's password policy requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long and prohibits common passwords found in breach databases. This policy aligns with which guideline?

Hard
18

An organization is implementing a visitor management policy. Which THREE should be included? (Select THREE.)

Hard
19

An LDAP distinguished name is formatted as: CN=John Smith,OU=Sales,DC=company,DC=com. What does OU represent?

Hard
20

Which of the following is an example of a logical access control?

Easy
21

Which of the following is a recommended practice for administrative accounts?

Easy
22

According to NIST SP 800-63, which password policy is recommended to enhance security?

Medium
23

A company requires that financial transactions be approved by two different managers before execution. This is an example of which access control principle?

Easy
24

An organization implements a policy requiring employees to use a separate administrator account for privileged tasks and a different account for daily activities. Which principle does this support?

Hard
25

An organization is designing a defense-in-depth strategy for physical security. Which of the following are examples of layered physical controls? (Choose THREE.)

Hard
26

A security architect is designing an access control policy based on the principle of need-to-know. Which TWO practices support this principle? (Select TWO.)

Hard
27

Which TWO of the following correctly describe components of a directory service distinguished name (DN) in LDAP? (Select two.)

Medium
28

An LDAP distinguished name is written as: CN=John Smith,OU=Sales,DC=company,DC=com. What do the 'OU' and 'DC' components represent?

Hard
29

Which of the following is an example of a logical access control?

Medium
30

A security auditor discovers that a user's account has been granted full access to all financial databases, even though the user only needs to view quarterly reports. Which access control principle has been violated most directly?

Hard
31

A Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution is used to:

Hard
32

An organization uses a layered security approach: perimeter fencing, access badge readers at building entrances, biometric scanners in server rooms, and cable locks on laptops. This strategy best exemplifies which access control concept?

Hard
33

An organization requires that financial transactions over $10,000 be approved by two different managers. This is an example of which access control principle?

Medium
34

Which of the following is an example of a logical access control?

Easy
35

Which TWO are examples of logical access controls? (Select TWO.)

Easy
36

A company configures its firewall to block all inbound traffic except for specific necessary services. This approach aligns with which access control principle?

Medium
37

An organization configures account lockout after 5 failed login attempts within 15 minutes. This control is designed to mitigate which type of attack?

Medium
38

In the context of identification and authentication, which of the following is an example of authentication?

Medium
39

A company requires all visitors to sign in, wear a visible badge, and be escorted while on premises. This is an example of:

Medium
40

Which type of access control is implemented by a cable lock attached to a laptop?

Easy
41

A company's physical security includes fencing, security guards, access badges, and biometric locks on server room doors. This layered approach is an example of which access control concept?

Medium
42

A session timeout automatically logs out a user after a period of inactivity. This control primarily protects against:

Hard
43

An employee uses their username to claim an identity and then enters a password to prove it. What is the term for the process of proving the claimed identity?

Medium
44

A company is implementing separation of duties for financial transactions. Which of the following are examples of this principle? (Choose TWO.)

Hard
45

A security administrator is configuring a session timeout policy. Which of the following are valid reasons for implementing session timeouts? (Choose TWO.)

Medium
46

Which THREE are key components of Active Directory? (Select THREE.)

Medium
47

An organization uses fencing, bollards, and lighting around the perimeter, guards at the main entrance, and biometric readers on server room doors. This approach is an example of:

Easy
48

Which TWO of the following are recommended practices for managing privileged accounts? (Select TWO.)

Medium
49

In an LDAP directory, an entry is represented as 'CN=John Smith,OU=Sales,DC=company,DC=com'. What does 'CN' stand for?

Hard
50

A security architect is designing controls to protect a data center. Which TWO of the following are examples of physical access controls? (Select TWO.)

Hard
51

An account lockout policy is implemented to protect against which type of attack?

Medium
52

In a directory service like Active Directory, which component is used to organize users, groups, and computers into a hierarchical structure for applying policies?

Medium
53

A security administrator is implementing controls to protect a server room. Which TWO physical security layers should be included as part of a defense-in-depth strategy? (Select TWO.)

Medium
54

Which of the following best describes the purpose of a session timeout?

Easy
55

A user enters a username and password to access a system. Which phase of the access control process does entering the username represent?

Medium
56

An organization wants to ensure that even if an attacker compromises a user's account, the damage is limited. Which principle is most directly applied?

Hard
57

In a directory service using LDAP, what is the distinguished name (DN) for a user named John Smith in the Sales organizational unit of the company domain company.com?

Hard
58

A security administrator is configuring a system to prevent unauthorized access after a user leaves their workstation unattended. Which access control mechanism should be implemented?

Medium
59

A company's security policy requires that employees use only the minimum permissions needed to perform their job functions. This practice reduces the potential impact if an account is compromised. Which TWO access control principles are being applied?

Medium
60

A security administrator is configuring user permissions and ensures that each user has only the minimum rights needed to perform their job. Which access control principle is the administrator applying?

Easy
61

An LDAP distinguished name (DN) is written as 'CN=John Smith,OU=Sales,DC=company,DC=com'. What does 'CN' represent?

Medium
62

According to NIST SP 800-63, which password policy is most effective for user authentication?

Medium
63

A security administrator is configuring user permissions and wants to ensure that each user has only the access rights necessary to perform their job. Which principle is being applied?

Easy
64

A security administrator is reviewing physical access controls. Which control is considered an external perimeter security measure?

Medium
65

What is the primary purpose of a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution?

Medium
66

A security analyst is reviewing physical security controls. Which TWO are considered layered physical security measures for external perimeter protection?

Medium
67

An administrator configures a Group Policy Object (GPO) in Active Directory to enforce account lockout after 5 failed attempts within 15 minutes. Which type of control is this?

Hard
68

A security auditor is reviewing access controls at a financial institution. The auditor identifies a scenario where one employee can initiate a payment transaction, and the same employee can also approve it. Which access control principle is being violated, and what is the primary risk?

Medium
69

A security analyst is reviewing access control mechanisms. Which TWO of the following are examples of logical access controls? (Select two.)

Medium
70

An organization uses a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution. Which of the following is a primary benefit of PAM?

Hard
71

Which process involves verifying the identity of a user who claims to be a specific person?

Easy
72

Which principle ensures that a user is granted only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions, thereby reducing the potential impact of a compromised account?

Easy
73

An account lockout policy is designed to mitigate which type of attack?

Medium
74

Which TWO of the following are components of the identification and authentication process? (Select TWO.)

Medium
75

A security team is designing a visitor management policy. Which TWO of the following are essential components? (Select TWO.)

Medium
76

A system administrator has a regular user account for daily work and a separate account with elevated privileges. Which principle is being applied?

Medium
77

Which THREE are recommended practices for password policies according to current guidelines?

Medium
78

A security engineer is designing a physical security plan. Which combination of controls best represents defense in depth for a data center?

Hard
79

An organization uses Active Directory to manage user accounts. Which protocol does Active Directory primarily use to query and modify directory services?

Medium
80

Which account type is considered highest risk and should be protected with strict controls, including separate daily use accounts?

Easy
81

Which of the following is a recommended practice for password security according to NIST SP 800-63?

Medium
82

A security analyst notices that a user is accessing files in a department they do not work in. Which principle is being violated?

Medium
83

A company implements a visitor management policy requiring all visitors to sign in, wear a badge, and be escorted. Which access control principle does this primarily support?

Medium
84

A security administrator is implementing controls to prevent a single employee from approving and disbursing payments. Which principle is being applied?

Medium
85

Which THREE are best practices for password management according to modern guidelines? (Select THREE.)

Medium
86

Which principle ensures that users are granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job functions?

Easy
87

In a directory service such as Active Directory, which component is responsible for storing information about users, groups, and computers in a hierarchical structure?

Hard
88

Which of the following is an example of a logical access control?

Easy
89

A company implements a policy where users must swipe their access card and then enter a PIN to enter the data center. This is an example of:

Medium
90

A company wants to implement defense in depth for its data center. Which THREE of the following controls should be included? (Select THREE.)

Hard
91

A system administrator uses a separate administrative account with elevated privileges only when performing system maintenance, and uses a standard user account for daily activities like email. This practice aligns with which principle?

Hard
92

Which THREE of the following are best practices for privileged account management? (Select THREE.)

Medium
93

An organization requires that a financial transaction must be initiated by one employee and approved by a manager before processing. Which access control principle does this enforce?

Easy
94

A company implements a policy where no single employee can approve a purchase order over $10,000. Instead, two managers must jointly approve it. Which security principle does this practice exemplify?

Medium
95

A visitor signs in at a company's reception, receives a badge, and is escorted throughout the building. This process is part of which type of access control?

Medium
96

A bank implements a policy that requires two different employees to approve any wire transfer over $10,000. One employee initiates the transfer, and another approves it. This is an example of which access control principle?

Medium
97

A visitor enters a company building and is required to sign in, present identification, and wear a visitor badge. This is an example of which type of access control?

Easy
98

An organization enforces a password policy requiring a minimum of 15 characters with no complexity requirements, and does not force periodic changes. This policy aligns with which current best practice?

Hard
99

An organization wants to implement a physical access control that requires two different credentials to enter a high-security server room. Which concept does this best represent?

Hard
100

What is the difference between identification and authentication?

Easy
101

A company wants to implement account lockout to prevent brute-force attacks. Which lockout threshold is most appropriate according to common best practices?

Hard
102

An employee claims to have accessed a confidential document that is not related to their job role. The security team investigates and finds that the employee's account had read access to the folder containing the document. Which TWO access control concepts were likely violated?

Easy
103

A security analyst is reviewing physical security controls. Which TWO are examples of perimeter physical controls? (Select TWO.)

Medium
104

An organization implements a policy where no single employee can approve a financial transaction over $10,000; a second manager must also approve. This is an example of which access control principle?

Hard
105

According to modern password guidance from NIST SP 800-63, which of the following is the most important factor when setting password requirements?

Medium
106

A security analyst notices repeated failed login attempts from a single IP address. The account is locked after 10 failed attempts. This is an example of which type of control?

Hard
107

An LDAP distinguished name (DN) is formatted as: CN=John Smith,OU=Sales,DC=company,DC=com. Which component represents the organizational unit?

Medium
108

An organization wants to implement layered physical security for its data center. Which THREE of the following controls would be considered part of a defense-in-depth physical security strategy?

Hard
109

A system administrator is configuring account lockout policies to mitigate brute-force attacks. Which TWO settings are most critical for this purpose?

Medium
110

Which of the following is an example of a physical access control at the building entrance?

Easy

Frequently asked questions

What does the Access Controls Concepts domain cover on the CC exam?
Access Controls Concepts questions test whether you can apply the concept in context, not just recognise a definition.
How many questions are in this domain?
This page lists all 110 Access Controls Concepts questions in the CC question bank. The actual exam draws from this domain proportionally to its weighting in the official exam blueprint.
What is the best way to practise this domain?
Start with a short focused session (10 questions) to identify gaps, then work through explanations. Repeat with a longer session once the weak areas feel solid.
Can I practise only Access Controls Concepts questions?
Yes — the session launcher on this page filters questions to this domain only. Choose any session length for inline explanations and scoring.
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