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.
Which THREE of the following are examples of the principle of least privilege? (Select THREE.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Granting a user only the permissions needed to perform their job
Option A is correct because the principle of least privilege dictates that a user should be granted only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions. This minimizes the attack surface and limits potential damage from accidental or malicious actions. In practice, this means assigning specific roles or access control lists (ACLs) rather than broad permissions.
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.
✓
Granting a user only the permissions needed to perform their job
Why this is correct
Correct. This is the essence of least privilege.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Giving all employees full access to the file server
Why it's wrong here
This violates least privilege.
✓
Allowing a contractor access only during their contract period
Why this is correct
Correct. Time-limited access follows least privilege.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Providing read-only access to a database for a reporting analyst
Why this is correct
Correct. Read-only is minimal necessary.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Assigning administrator rights to all employees by default
Why it's wrong here
This violates least privilege.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the principle of least privilege by including options that sound reasonable but grant excessive access, such as 'full access to the file server' or 'administrator rights to all employees,' to see if candidates recognize that even temporary or role-based access must be strictly limited to the minimum necessary.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The principle of least privilege is enforced through mechanisms like Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and mandatory access controls (MAC) in systems such as SELinux or Windows Active Directory. For example, a reporting analyst typically requires only SELECT permissions on specific database tables, not INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE. In real-world scenarios, this principle is critical for compliance with standards like PCI DSS or HIPAA, where over-privileged accounts are a common audit finding.
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.
Security Principles — This question tests Security Principles — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Granting a user only the permissions needed to perform their job — Option A is correct because the principle of least privilege dictates that a user should be granted only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions. This minimizes the attack surface and limits potential damage from accidental or malicious actions. In practice, this means assigning specific roles or access control lists (ACLs) rather than broad permissions.
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: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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