The answer is a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution. This is correct because PAM is specifically architected to enforce password rotation policies—such as the 30-day cycle required here—by automatically generating new credentials, vaulting them securely, and invalidating old passwords, all while providing continuous session monitoring and audit trails. On the CISSP exam, this question tests your understanding of Domain 5 (Identity and Access Management) and the distinction between general password managers and PAM’s privileged-specific controls; a common trap is choosing a standard password manager, which lacks the granular monitoring and session recording needed for privileged accounts. Remember the mnemonic PAM = Password rotation + Audit + Monitoring, directly mapping to the policy’s twin demands of rotation and oversight.
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.
An organization's security policy requires that privileged accounts have their passwords changed every 30 days and be monitored. Which solution effectively manages these requirements?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution
A Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution is specifically designed to manage privileged accounts, enforce password rotation policies (e.g., every 30 days), and provide detailed monitoring and auditing of privileged sessions. It automates password changes, vaults credentials, and logs all access, directly meeting the policy requirements for privileged accounts.
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
Why it's wrong here
RBAC controls permissions but does not manage password lifecycle or monitoring.
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Enterprise password manager
Why it's wrong here
A password manager stores passwords but lacks session recording and rotation features.
✓
Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution
Why this is correct
PAM provides password rotation, vaulting, session monitoring, and audit trails.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Single sign-on for administrators
Why it's wrong here
SSO does not enforce password rotation or session monitoring for privileged accounts.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse a general password manager (Option B) with a PAM solution, overlooking that PAM adds session monitoring, auditing, and just-in-time access for privileged accounts, which are critical for compliance.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
PAM solutions often implement a password vault that stores privileged credentials in an encrypted database, with automated rotation triggered by time-based policies or after each checkout. They also support session recording and keystroke logging via protocols like RDP or SSH proxy, enabling forensic analysis. In a real-world scenario, a PAM tool can enforce a 30-day password change policy while also requiring approval workflows and recording all commands executed during a privileged session.
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: Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution — A Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution is specifically designed to manage privileged accounts, enforce password rotation policies (e.g., every 30 days), and provide detailed monitoring and auditing of privileged sessions. It automates password changes, vaults credentials, and logs all access, directly meeting the policy requirements for privileged accounts.
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.
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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