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 recognized security control types according to ISC2? (Choose three.)
Deterrent
Why wrong: Deterrent is a control function, not a type.
Technical
Technical controls include firewalls, encryption, etc.
Physical
Physical controls include locks, guards, etc.
Operational
Why wrong: Operational is not a recognized control type; it is a domain.
Administrative
Administrative controls include policies and procedures.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Technical
Option B (Technical) is correct because ISC2 recognizes technical controls as a primary security control type, encompassing mechanisms like firewalls, encryption, and intrusion detection systems that enforce security policies through technology. These controls operate at the system or network level to protect assets directly.
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.
Deterrent
Why it's wrong here
Deterrent is a control function, not a type.
Technical
Why this is correct
Technical controls include firewalls, encryption, etc.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Physical
Why this is correct
Physical controls include locks, guards, etc.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Operational
Why it's wrong here
Operational is not a recognized control type; it is a domain.
Administrative
Why this is correct
Administrative controls include policies and procedures.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
ISC2 often tests the distinction between control types and control functions (like deterrent, detective, preventive), causing candidates to mistakenly select 'deterrent' as a type instead of recognizing it as a function that can be fulfilled by any of the three recognized types.
Detailed technical explanation
ISC2's three recognized control types—administrative, technical, and physical—are based on how controls are implemented: administrative controls involve policies and procedures (e.g., access control policies), technical controls use hardware/software (e.g., firewalls with ACLs), and physical controls involve tangible barriers (e.g., locks, biometric readers). In real-world scenarios, a multi-layered defense combines all three, such as a data center using badge readers (physical), firewall rules (technical), and security awareness training (administrative).
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security Principles — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Security Principles practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CC questions
500 questions across all exam domains
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CC practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CC questions linked to Access Controls Concepts.
Practise CC questions linked to Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response.
Practise CC questions linked to Security Principles.
Practise CC questions linked to Network Security.
Practise CC questions linked to Security Operations.
Practise CC questions linked to CC fundamentals.
Practise CC questions linked to CC scenario.
Practise CC questions linked to CC troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Security Principles — This question tests Security Principles — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Technical — Option B (Technical) is correct because ISC2 recognizes technical controls as a primary security control type, encompassing mechanisms like firewalls, encryption, and intrusion detection systems that enforce security policies through technology. These controls operate at the system or network level to protect assets directly.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.