The answer is Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC). This model is the correct choice because it evaluates access decisions by combining multiple attributes—such as the user’s role (subject attribute), the sensitivity of the data (resource attribute), and the context of access like time of day (environment attribute)—into policy rules, often expressed in XACML or ALFA. On the CISSP exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish ABAC from simpler models like Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), which only considers role, or Discretionary Access Control (DAC), which relies on owner discretion. A common trap is choosing RBAC because it includes “role,” but the requirement for data sensitivity and context demands ABAC’s multi-attribute, policy-driven approach. For healthcare applications with HIPAA compliance, ABAC provides the fine-grained, dynamic permissions needed. Memory tip: think “ABAC = All attributes combined” to recall that subject, resource, and environment attributes all factor into the decision.
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 architect is designing access controls for a healthcare application where permissions are based on the user's role, the sensitivity of the data, and the context of the access (e.g., time of day). Which access control model best fits this requirement?
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
✓
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) is the correct model because it evaluates access decisions based on multiple attributes: the user's role, the data sensitivity (object attributes), and environmental context such as time of day. Unlike simpler models, ABAC can combine subject, resource, and environment attributes using policy rules (e.g., XACML or ALFA) to enforce fine-grained, context-aware permissions, which is essential for healthcare applications with dynamic compliance requirements like HIPAA.
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.
✗
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
RBAC assigns permissions based solely on roles, not on additional attributes like context.
✗
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why it's wrong here
MAC uses classification labels and clearances, not dynamic attributes.
✓
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Why this is correct
ABAC evaluates multiple attributes including user role, data sensitivity, and environment context.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Why it's wrong here
DAC allows owners to set permissions, not suitable for context-based decisions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates see 'role' in the requirement and immediately choose RBAC, overlooking that the question explicitly includes data sensitivity and context (time of day), which are attributes that only ABAC can combine into a single policy decision.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ABAC relies on a policy decision point (PDP) that evaluates rules expressed in a policy language such as XACML 3.0, where attributes are drawn from subject (e.g., role, department), resource (e.g., data classification), and environment (e.g., time, location). A subtle behavior is that ABAC policies can include conditions like 'if time is between 9 AM and 5 PM AND role is 'nurse' AND data sensitivity is 'PHI', then permit', enabling fine-grained control that RBAC cannot achieve without extensive role explosion. In real-world healthcare deployments, ABAC is used to enforce break-glass access for emergency contexts while logging all attribute-based decisions for audit trails.
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: Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) — Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) is the correct model because it evaluates access decisions based on multiple attributes: the user's role, the data sensitivity (object attributes), and environmental context such as time of day. Unlike simpler models, ABAC can combine subject, resource, and environment attributes using policy rules (e.g., XACML or ALFA) to enforce fine-grained, context-aware permissions, which is essential for healthcare applications with dynamic compliance requirements like HIPAA.
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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