easyMultiple Select
ISC2 CC Practice Question: Which TWO are examples of technical access…
Which TWO are examples of technical access controls?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between administrative, physical, and technical controls, and the trap here is that candidates confuse 'security awareness training' or 'security policies' as technical controls because they are part of a security program, but they are not implemented through technology or code.
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
✓
Encryption
Encryption (C) is a technical access control because it uses cryptographic algorithms and keys to render data unreadable to unauthorized parties, directly enforcing confidentiality at the system level. Access control lists (E) are technical access controls because they are software/hardware-enforced rules (e.g., on routers, firewalls, or file systems) that specify which subjects may access which objects and with what permissions. The other options are not technical controls: security awareness training (A) is an administrative/educational control that changes user behavior, security policies (B) are administrative controls that define rules and expectations in writing, and ID badges (D) are physical controls used to restrict physical entry to facilities.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Security awareness training
Why it's wrong here
Security awareness training is an administrative control: it changes employee behaviour through education rather than enforcing access through a system mechanism. Technical controls operate via hardware or software, such as access control lists or authentication. Training would be the right answer where the question asks about managing the human factor in security.
- ✗
Security policies
Why it's wrong here
Security policies are administrative controls: documented management directives that state rules and responsibilities, not mechanisms that enforce access. Technical controls restrict access through hardware or software, such as firewalls or permissions. Policies would be correct where the question concerns governance documentation rather than system-enforced restrictions.
- ✓
Encryption
Why this is correct
Encryption is a technical (logical) access control because it is implemented in hardware or software to render data unintelligible without the correct cryptographic key, restricting access through a system-enforced mechanism rather than a physical or administrative one.
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ID badges
Why it's wrong here
ID badges are a physical access control: they restrict entry to buildings and rooms through a physical reader, not through a logical system mechanism. Technical controls enforce access via hardware or software, such as passwords, encryption or firewalls. Badges would be correct when the scenario concerns safeguarding facilities rather than information systems.
- ✓
Access control lists
Why this is correct
Access control lists are technical controls: they are configured in operating systems, routers or firewalls to permit or deny subjects' access to objects, enforcing authorisation through system logic rather than physical barriers or administrative policy.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Security Awareness and Training
Key term
Security awareness
Security awareness is the ongoing practice of educating people within an organization about cybersecurity risks, safe behaviors, and their individual responsibilities to protect information assets.
Key term
Access control
Access control is the security practice of determining who or what is allowed to view, use, or enter a resource, and under what conditions.
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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.