The correct answer is Rule-Based Access Control. This is because the ACL enforces traffic filtering through a global set of predefined rules—such as permit or deny statements based on source IP, destination IP, and port numbers—that are applied uniformly to all subjects, independent of user identity or roles. On the CISSP exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish rule-based access control via ACLs from other models: it is not Discretionary (users cannot change permissions), not Mandatory (no security labels or clearances), and not Role-Based (no mapping to job functions). A common trap is confusing Rule-Based with Role-Based due to the similar acronyms, but remember: rules are global and static, while roles are tied to job functions. Memory tip: think of an ACL as a strict bouncer at a club who follows a printed list of rules for everyone, not who you are or what your job title is.
CISSP Security and Risk Management Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security and risk 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
access-list 101 permit tcp any host 192.168.1.10 eq 443
access-list 101 permit tcp any host 192.168.1.10 eq 80
access-list 101 deny ip any any log
Refer to the exhibit. The network administrator applies this access control list to the inbound interface of a router connecting to the internet. Which type of access control model is being implemented?
Refer to the exhibit.
access-list 101 permit tcp any host 192.168.1.10 eq 443
access-list 101 permit tcp any host 192.168.1.10 eq 80
access-list 101 deny ip any any log
A
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Why wrong: DAC allows owners to set permissions; ACLs here are centrally managed.
B
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why wrong: MAC uses security labels; no labels are present.
C
Rule-Based Access Control
The ACL is a set of rules that match on packet characteristics and are enforced by a system.
D
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why wrong: RBAC assigns permissions based on user roles, not packet attributes.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Rule-Based Access Control
The access control list (ACL) applied to the inbound interface of a router connecting to the internet enforces traffic filtering based on a set of predefined rules (e.g., permit or deny statements based on source IP, destination IP, port numbers). This is the essence of Rule-Based Access Control (RBAC), where access decisions are governed by a global set of rules applied uniformly to all subjects, independent of user identity or roles. The ACL does not allow individual users to change permissions (eliminating DAC), does not use security labels or clearances (eliminating MAC), and does not map permissions to job roles (eliminating Role-Based Access Control).
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.
✗
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Why it's wrong here
DAC allows owners to set permissions; ACLs here are centrally managed.
✗
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why it's wrong here
MAC uses security labels; no labels are present.
✓
Rule-Based Access Control
Why this is correct
The ACL is a set of rules that match on packet characteristics and are enforced by a system.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
RBAC assigns permissions based on user roles, not packet attributes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between Rule-Based and Role-Based access control by presenting an ACL scenario and hoping candidates confuse the term 'rule' with 'role', but ACLs are purely rule-based and do not incorporate user roles or identity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Rule-Based Access Control in networking is implemented via ACLs that follow a first-match logic: each packet is compared against the rules in order until a permit or deny is found, and an implicit deny all is applied at the end. Cisco ACLs can be standard (filtering only on source IP) or extended (filtering on source/destination IP, protocol, and ports), and they are stateless, meaning each packet is evaluated independently without context of previous packets. In real-world scenarios, rule-based ACLs are critical for perimeter security, such as blocking inbound traffic on TCP port 443 from untrusted sources while allowing outbound web traffic.
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.
Security and Risk Management — This question tests Security and Risk Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Rule-Based Access Control — The access control list (ACL) applied to the inbound interface of a router connecting to the internet enforces traffic filtering based on a set of predefined rules (e.g., permit or deny statements based on source IP, destination IP, port numbers). This is the essence of Rule-Based Access Control (RBAC), where access decisions are governed by a global set of rules applied uniformly to all subjects, independent of user identity or roles. The ACL does not allow individual users to change permissions (eliminating DAC), does not use security labels or clearances (eliminating MAC), and does not map permissions to job roles (eliminating Role-Based Access Control).
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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