easyMultiple Choice
ISC2 CC Practice Question: Which concept ensures that a user cannot deny…
Which concept ensures that a user cannot deny having performed a specific action?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the confusion between non-repudiation and integrity, where candidates mistakenly think that ensuring data hasn't changed (integrity) also proves who changed it, but non-repudiation specifically requires a binding identity proof like a digital signature.
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
✓
Non-repudiation
Non-repudiation ensures that a user cannot deny having performed a specific action, typically by using cryptographic mechanisms such as digital signatures or audit logs. In the context of the CC exam, this is most commonly achieved through public key infrastructure (PKI) where a private key signs an action, and the corresponding public key verifies the signature, providing irrefutable proof of origin. This prevents a user from later claiming they did not send a message or perform a transaction.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Non-repudiation
Why this is correct
Non-repudiation provides cryptographic proof of origin and integrity, binding a user to an action through digital signatures or audit trails. This satisfies the stem's requirement that a user cannot later deny performing a specific action, as the evidence is verifiable and tamper-evident.
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Availability
Why it's wrong here
Availability concerns uptime and accessibility of systems and data, not proving who performed an action. It is tempting because outages and access both touch security, but non-repudiation is the property that binds an action to a verified identity so it cannot later be denied.
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Integrity
Why it's wrong here
Integrity guarantees data is accurate and unaltered, not that an actor is bound to their action. It is tempting because tamper-evident logs support non-repudiation, but integrity alone addresses modification, whereas non-repudiation prevents a user denying having performed the action.
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Authorization
Why it's wrong here
Authorization determines what an authenticated principal may access; it does not create proof of an action attributable to that principal. It is tempting because access control and accountability are related, but non-repudiation is the concept ensuring a user cannot deny performing a specific action.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Key term
Audit
An audit is a systematic, independent review of IT systems, processes, and controls to verify compliance with policies, standards, and regulations.
Key term
Public Key Infrastructure
Public Key Infrastructure is a system of policies, roles, hardware, and software that manages digital certificates and public-key encryption to secure communications and verify identities online.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.