Quick Answer
The correct answer is separation of duties. This principle is violated because the database administrator holds both operational control over the database and the ability to view sensitive payroll data, combining two roles that should be kept separate to prevent unauthorized access or fraud. In the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how separation of duties acts as a critical internal control, distinct from least privilege—which only limits access levels, not the combination of conflicting tasks. A common trap is confusing this with least privilege, but the key here is that the administrator has conflicting responsibilities, not just excessive permissions. For a real-world separation of duties example, think of a bank where the person who approves a loan cannot also disburse the funds. Memory tip: “Two hands for two tasks—never let one person hold both the keys and the cash.”
This CC practice question tests your understanding of security principles. 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.
During a security audit, it is found that a database administrator can access payroll data. The company policy states that administrators should not have access to sensitive HR data. Which security principle is being violated?
Accountability
Why wrong: Accountability is about logging actions, not access control.
Least privilege
Why wrong: Least privilege is about minimal access, but the issue is that the DBA should not have any access to payroll.
Separation of duties
Correct. The DBA should not have access to payroll data.
Privacy
Why wrong: Privacy is a concern, but the violation is separation of duties.
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
The scenario describes a single database administrator having both the ability to access and modify payroll data, which combines operational and oversight roles. Separation of duties (SoD) is the principle that requires splitting critical tasks and privileges among multiple individuals to prevent fraud or error. Here, the administrator's access violates SoD because they can both manage the database and view sensitive HR data, which should require separate authorization.
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.
Accountability
Why it's wrong here
Accountability is about logging actions, not access control.
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege is about minimal access, but the issue is that the DBA should not have any access to payroll.
Separation of duties
Why this is correct
Correct. The DBA should not have access to payroll data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Privacy
Why it's wrong here
Privacy is a concern, but the violation is separation of duties.
Common exam traps
ISC2 often tests the distinction between least privilege and separation of duties, where candidates mistakenly choose least privilege because they focus on the 'should not have access' phrasing, but the real violation is the combination of conflicting roles, not just excessive permissions.
Detailed technical explanation
In database systems, separation of duties is often enforced through role-based access control (RBAC) with distinct roles such as DB_OWNER (for schema changes) and DATA_READER (for sensitive data). A real-world implementation might use Oracle's Virtual Private Database (VPD) or SQL Server's row-level security to restrict access based on user context, but without separate roles for administration and data access, a single user can bypass these controls. This principle is codified in standards like NIST SP 800-53 AC-5, which mandates separation of duties to reduce the risk of malicious or accidental compromise.
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
Security Principles — This question tests Security Principles — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Separation of duties — The scenario describes a single database administrator having both the ability to access and modify payroll data, which combines operational and oversight roles. Separation of duties (SoD) is the principle that requires splitting critical tasks and privileges among multiple individuals to prevent fraud or error. Here, the administrator's access violates SoD because they can both manage the database and view sensitive HR data, which should require separate authorization.
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
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CC exam.
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