Rule-Based Access Control (RuBAC) is the correct choice because it enforces access decisions through a set of predefined, static rules—such as time-of-day restrictions and device compliance—that operate independently of user identity or data classification. In this scenario, the conditions “business hours only” and “company-issued devices only” are perfect examples of rules that a system can evaluate at the point of access, much like a firewall ACL or policy engine checks conditions before granting entry. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish RuBAC from role-based or attribute-based models; a common trap is confusing RuBAC with mandatory access control (MAC), but remember that RuBAC rules are not tied to labels or clearance levels. Memory tip: think of RuBAC as “if-then” logic—if it’s 3 PM and the device is company-issued, then access is granted.
ISC2 CC Access Controls Concepts Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of access controls concepts. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 company is implementing an access control system to protect sensitive data. Employees in the finance department must access financial records, but only during business hours and from company-issued devices. Which access control model best supports these requirements?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Rule-Based Access Control (RuBAC)
Rule-Based Access Control (RuBAC) is the correct choice because it enforces access decisions based on a set of predefined rules, such as time-of-day restrictions and device compliance. In this scenario, the rules 'business hours only' and 'company-issued devices only' are static conditions that can be implemented as access control rules (e.g., using a firewallACL or a policy engine) without requiring user attributes or labels. RuBAC is ideal when access is governed by operational policies that are not tied to user identity or data classification.
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.
✗
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Why it's wrong here
ABAC can handle this but is more complex; RuBAC is more appropriate for simple rule enforcement.
✓
Rule-Based Access Control (RuBAC)
Why this is correct
RuBAC enforces access based on rules including time and device.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Why it's wrong here
DAC allows users to control access, not enforce time/device rules.
✗
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why it's wrong here
MAC uses labels like Top Secret, not time or device restrictions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between RuBAC and ABAC by presenting a scenario with multiple conditions (time, device, location) that seems to require ABAC, but the trap is that if the conditions are static and predefined (not evaluated dynamically from user/object attributes), RuBAC is the simpler and correct model.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, RuBAC operates by evaluating a set of Boolean rules (e.g., 'IF time BETWEEN 09:00 AND 17:00 AND device IN [company-issued list] THEN allow') against the access request, often implemented via access control lists (ACLs) or policy-based management systems. A subtle behavior is that RuBAC rules are typically evaluated in order, and the first matching rule determines the outcome, which can lead to unintended access if rules are not carefully ordered. In a real-world scenario, a company might use RuBAC in a network firewall to restrict database access to finance VLAN traffic only during business hours, using a rule like 'permit tcp from 10.0.1.0/24 to 10.0.2.0/24 eq 1433 time-range BusinessHours'.
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: Rule-Based Access Control (RuBAC) — Rule-Based Access Control (RuBAC) is the correct choice because it enforces access decisions based on a set of predefined rules, such as time-of-day restrictions and device compliance. In this scenario, the rules 'business hours only' and 'company-issued devices only' are static conditions that can be implemented as access control rules (e.g., using a firewall ACL or a policy engine) without requiring user attributes or labels. RuBAC is ideal when access is governed by operational policies that are not tied to user identity or data classification.
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.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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