The correct answers are password history enforcement, multi-factor authentication, and a minimum length of 8 characters, as these three align with current NIST SP 800-63B guidelines. NIST shifted away from arbitrary complexity rules like mixed-case and special characters because they often lead to predictable patterns, instead prioritizing length as the primary defense against brute-force attacks. Password history prevents credential recycling by blocking reuse of the last 10-24 passwords, while MFA adds a critical second layer that mitigates stolen credentials. On the CISSP exam, this topic tests your understanding of modern authentication standards versus legacy policies; a common trap is selecting “periodic password changes” or “complexity requirements,” which NIST now discourages unless a compromise is suspected. Remember the mnemonic “L-H-M” for Length, History, and MFA—the three pillars of NIST password best practices.
CISSP Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. 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.
A security analyst is reviewing an organization's password policy. Which THREE of the following are considered best practices for password security according to current NIST guidelines? (Select three.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enforce password history of 10
Option A is correct because NIST SP 800-63B recommends enforcing a password history to prevent users from reusing recent passwords, with a typical value of 10-24 previous passwords. This reduces the risk of password recycling attacks where compromised credentials are reused. Option D is correct because multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a core NIST recommendation to add an additional layer of security beyond passwords, mitigating credential theft. Option E is correct because NIST now advises a minimum password length of 8 characters (or more) as a primary defense against brute-force attacks, rather than relying on complexity rules.
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.
✓
Enforce password history of 10
Why this is correct
Password history prevents reuse of recent passwords.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Require password changes every 30 days
Why it's wrong here
NIST discourages mandatory periodic changes as they lead to weaker passwords.
✗
Allow password hints
Why it's wrong here
Password hints can be exploited and are not recommended.
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Use a minimum password length of 8
Why this is correct
Length is a key factor; at least 8 characters is recommended.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the outdated NIST recommendation of mandatory password changes every 30-90 days, which is now explicitly discouraged in current guidelines, causing candidates to select option B incorrectly.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NIST SP 800-63B (Digital Identity Guidelines) shifted focus from complexity and rotation to length and memorability, recommending a minimum of 8 characters and allowing up to 64 characters. Under the hood, password entropy is more effectively increased by length (e.g., 8 characters with a large character set yields ~52 bits of entropy) than by arbitrary complexity rules. In real-world scenarios, organizations that enforce 90-day rotations often see users appending incremental digits (e.g., 'Password1!' to 'Password2!'), which attackers can easily predict via pattern analysis.
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 CISSP question in full detail.
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enforce password history of 10 — Option A is correct because NIST SP 800-63B recommends enforcing a password history to prevent users from reusing recent passwords, with a typical value of 10-24 previous passwords. This reduces the risk of password recycling attacks where compromised credentials are reused. Option D is correct because multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a core NIST recommendation to add an additional layer of security beyond passwords, mitigating credential theft. Option E is correct because NIST now advises a minimum password length of 8 characters (or more) as a primary defense against brute-force attacks, rather than relying on complexity rules.
What should I do if I get this CISSP 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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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