CISSP Security Architecture and Engineering Practice Question
Which access control model allows the data owner to determine who can access their resources, typically using Access Control Lists (ACLs)?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Discretionary Access Control (DAC) gives owners discretion over access permissions, often via ACLs.
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 this is correct
Correct. DAC allows owners to grant or deny access.
- ✗
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
RBAC assigns permissions based on roles, not owner discretion.
- ✗
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why it's wrong here
MAC uses system-enforced labels, not owner discretion.
- ✗
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Why it's wrong here
ABAC uses attributes to evaluate policies, not owner discretion.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Asset Security: Privacy and Data Retention
Key term
Data owner
A senior-level person who is accountable for the classification, protection, and appropriate use of a specific set of data within an organization.
Key term
Access control
Access control is the security practice of determining who or what is allowed to view, use, or enter a resource, and under what conditions.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CISSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CISSP exam.