easyMultiple Choice
ISC2 CC Practice Question: Which access control model allows the owner of a…
Which access control model allows the owner of a resource to decide who can access it?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between DAC and MAC by presenting a scenario where a user can change permissions on their own files, and candidates mistakenly choose MAC because they confuse 'mandatory' with 'owner-controlled' or think MAC allows user discretion.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Discretionary Access Control (DAC) allows the owner of a resource to determine who can access it and with what permissions. In DAC, the resource creator or authorized owner can grant or revoke access rights to other subjects, typically through access control lists (ACLs) or file permissions. This model is commonly implemented in operating systems like Windows NTFS and Linux file systems, where the owner sets read, write, or execute permissions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why it's wrong here
MAC enforces system-wide labels and central policy, removing owner discretion entirely. It is tempting because it provides strong, non-bypassable control, and would be correct for classified or highly regulated environments, not for a model where the resource owner decides access.
- ✗
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
RBAC assigns permissions through predefined roles, so access derives from role membership rather than the resource owner's decision. It is tempting because roles simplify administration, and would be correct for organisation-wide, job-function-based permissions, not owner-discretionary sharing.
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Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Why it's wrong here
ABAC grants access from attributes and policies evaluated centrally, not from the resource owner's discretion. It is tempting because attributes can encode ownership, and would be correct for fine-grained, policy-driven access at scale, not for owner-controlled sharing.
- ✓
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Why this is correct
DAC grants the resource owner discretion over access decisions, satisfying the stem's requirement that owners themselves decide who may access their resources. Unlike mandatory models, control rests with the owner rather than a central policy authority, which is precisely the defining characteristic the question describes.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Access Control Fundamentals
Key term
DAC
Discretionary Access Control is a security model where the owner of a resource decides who can access it and what permissions they have.
Key term
Least privilege
Least privilege is a security principle that means giving users, systems, or programs only the minimum permissions they need to do their job and nothing more.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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