The correct answer is to integrate the HR system with the identity management system for automated deprovisioning. This is the most effective course of action because it directly addresses the root cause of the security incidents: the manual, delayed termination process. By automating deprovisioning through HR integration, the identity management system can instantly revoke access rights the moment an employee is marked as terminated in the HR database, eliminating the window of unauthorized access. On the CISSP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Identity and Access Management (IAM) domain, specifically the concept of automated lifecycle management and the critical link between HR systems and identity repositories. A common trap is choosing increased audits, but remember that auditing is detective, not preventive; the key here is to stop access immediately, not just find out about it later. Memory tip: think “HR triggers IDM” — when the HR system fires the termination event, the IDM automatically closes the door.
CISSP Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A multinational corporation has experienced several security incidents where terminated employees retained access to internal systems for weeks after their departure. The HR department manually terminates accounts by sending notifications to IT, but the process is often delayed or missed. The company uses an identity management system (IDM) that supports automated provisioning and deprovisioning. The security team is tasked with reducing the risk of unauthorized access by former employees. Which of the following is the most effective course of action?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Integrate the HR system with the identity management system for automated deprovisioning
Integrating HR systems with the IDM enables automated deprovisioning immediately upon termination. Increasing audits (B) only detects problems after the fact. Implementing user self-service (C) does not address timely deprovisioning. Requiring strong passwords (D) is irrelevant to the issue of account removal.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Integrate the HR system with the identity management system for automated deprovisioning
Why this is correct
Automated deprovisioning ensures accounts are disabled immediately when an employee is terminated.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Require terminated employees to change their passwords upon exit
Why it's wrong here
Password changes do not prevent retention; the account must be disabled.
✗
Increase frequency of access reviews and audits to identify stale accounts
Why it's wrong here
Audits are reactive and do not prevent access between review cycles.
✗
Implement a user self-service portal for managers to disable accounts
Why it's wrong here
Self-service relies on manual action and may still have delays or omissions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CISSP NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Integrate the HR system with the identity management system for automated deprovisioning — Integrating HR systems with the IDM enables automated deprovisioning immediately upon termination. Increasing audits (B) only detects problems after the fact. Implementing user self-service (C) does not address timely deprovisioning. Requiring strong passwords (D) is irrelevant to the issue of account removal.
What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CISSP NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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