The answer is the principle of least privilege. This access control principle is correct because it dictates that a user should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job functions, so providing read-only access to a specific folder—such as using NTFS 'Read' permission or Linux 'r--' on the directory—directly applies this concept by preventing modification while still allowing necessary access. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this principle is frequently tested in scenario-based questions where you must identify the correct control to limit permissions, often with a common trap of confusing it with "need-to-know" or "separation of duties." Remember that least privilege focuses strictly on the minimum rights for a task, not on the sensitivity of the data. A simple memory tip: think "just enough, not more"—if the user only needs to read, lock the write key.
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.
A system administrator needs to grant a user the ability to read files in a specific folder but not modify them. Which access control principle should be applied?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Least Privilege
The principle of Least Privilege dictates that a user should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job functions. In this scenario, granting read-only access to a specific folder (e.g., using NTFS 'Read' permission or Linux 'r--' on the directory) ensures the user cannot modify files, directly applying Least Privilege. This prevents accidental or intentional data alteration while still allowing necessary access.
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.
✗
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
RBAC assigns permissions based on roles, but does not inherently enforce the principle of least privilege.
✓
Least Privilege
Why this is correct
Least privilege grants only the permissions necessary for the job, such as read-only access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Separation of Duties (SoD)
Why it's wrong here
SoD requires multiple individuals to complete a sensitive task, not about permission levels.
✗
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why it's wrong here
MAC is a system-enforced policy based on labels, not about limiting permissions to read-only.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between an access control *model* (like RBAC or MAC) and a security *principle* (like Least Privilege), causing candidates to confuse the mechanism with the overarching goal of minimizing permissions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Least Privilege is often implemented via Access Control Lists (ACLs) on filesystems (e.g., NTFS ACLs or POSIX ACLs) where a 'Read' entry explicitly denies write/modify bits. In a real-world scenario, a sysadmin might use the `icacls` command on Windows (e.g., `icacls C:\Data /grant User:R`) or `setfacl` on Linux to enforce this, ensuring the user cannot delete or edit files even if they have network share access. A subtle behavior is that 'Read' on a folder in NTFS does not include 'List Folder Contents' by default if the folder is shared via SMB, requiring careful permission stacking.
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: Least Privilege — The principle of Least Privilege dictates that a user should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job functions. In this scenario, granting read-only access to a specific folder (e.g., using NTFS 'Read' permission or Linux 'r--' on the directory) ensures the user cannot modify files, directly applying Least Privilege. This prevents accidental or intentional data alteration while still allowing necessary access.
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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