This CC practice question tests your understanding of security principles. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which THREE of the following are considered essential security principles according to ISC2?
Separation of duties
Separation of duties prevents conflicts of interest.
Encryption
Why wrong: Encryption is a control for confidentiality.
Non-repudiation
Non-repudiation prevents denial of actions.
Biometrics
Why wrong: Biometrics is an authentication mechanism.
Least privilege
Least privilege is a fundamental security principle.
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
Correct: A, B, D. Least privilege, non-repudiation, and separation of duties are key security principles. Biometrics and encryption are mechanisms, not principles.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Separation of duties
Why this is correct
Separation of duties prevents conflicts of interest.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Encryption
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is a control for confidentiality.
Non-repudiation
Why this is correct
Non-repudiation prevents denial of actions.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Biometrics
Why it's wrong here
Biometrics is an authentication mechanism.
Least privilege
Why this is correct
Least privilege is a fundamental security principle.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CC questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Security Principles — This question tests Security Principles — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: Separation of duties — Correct: A, B, D. Least privilege, non-repudiation, and separation of duties are key security principles. Biometrics and encryption are mechanisms, not principles.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CC questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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