This CC practice question tests your understanding of access controls concepts. 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.
In a Bell-LaPadula MAC model, which of the following operations is prohibited?
A Top Secret subject reads a Confidential object
Why wrong: Reading down is allowed.
A Top Secret subject reads a Top Secret object
Why wrong: Reading same level is allowed.
A Top Secret subject writes to a Top Secret object
Why wrong: Write same level is allowed.
A Top Secret subject writes to an Unclassified object
Write down is prohibited.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
A Top Secret subject writes to an Unclassified object
In the Bell-LaPadula model, the *-property (star property) prohibits a subject from writing to an object at a lower classification level. A Top Secret subject writing to an Unclassified object would cause a downgrade of sensitive information, violating this property. Therefore, option D is the prohibited operation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
A Top Secret subject reads a Confidential object
Why it's wrong here
Reading down is allowed.
A Top Secret subject reads a Top Secret object
Why it's wrong here
Reading same level is allowed.
A Top Secret subject writes to a Top Secret object
Why it's wrong here
Write same level is allowed.
A Top Secret subject writes to an Unclassified object
Why this is correct
Write down is prohibited.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
ISC2 often tests the misconception that the *-property (no write down) applies to writing to higher-level objects, when in fact it only restricts writing to lower-level objects, and candidates may confuse it with the simple security property (no read up).
Detailed technical explanation
The Bell-LaPadula model enforces mandatory access control (MAC) using two primary rules: the simple security property (no read up) and the *-property (no write down). The *-property prevents a high-level subject from writing to a lower-level object, which could leak classified data. In practice, this model is used in multilevel secure (MLS) systems like those handling government or military classifications, where even a single write-down operation could compromise security.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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. 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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Access Controls Concepts — This question tests Access Controls Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: A Top Secret subject writes to an Unclassified object — In the Bell-LaPadula model, the *-property (star property) prohibits a subject from writing to an object at a lower classification level. A Top Secret subject writing to an Unclassified object would cause a downgrade of sensitive information, violating this property. Therefore, option D is the prohibited operation.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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