This CC practice question tests your understanding of security principles. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
During a security audit, it is discovered that a single employee can approve purchase orders and also receive the goods. Which security principle is being violated?
Separation of duties
Separation of duties prevents conflicts by dividing critical tasks.
Defense in depth
Why wrong: Defense in depth involves multiple security layers.
Least privilege
Why wrong: Least privilege is about minimum access permissions, not task separation.
Need-to-know
Why wrong: Need-to-know restricts data access to those who require it.
Answer choices
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 that conflicting tasks be divided among different individuals to prevent fraud. Option A (Least privilege) is about access levels. Option B (Need-to-know) restricts data access. Option C (Defense in depth) is about layered controls.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Separation of duties
Why this is correct
Separation of duties prevents conflicts by dividing critical tasks.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth involves multiple security layers.
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege is about minimum access permissions, not task separation.
Need-to-know
Why it's wrong here
Need-to-know restricts data access to those who require it.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
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. Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
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
Security Principles — This question tests Security Principles — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: Separation of duties — Separation of duties requires that conflicting tasks be divided among different individuals to prevent fraud. Option A (Least privilege) is about access levels. Option B (Need-to-know) restricts data access. Option C (Defense in depth) is about layered controls.
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.
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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