- A
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Why wrong: ABAC uses attributes, not owner discretion.
- B
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why wrong: MAC is system-enforced based on labels.
- C
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why wrong: RBAC assigns permissions based on roles, not owner discretion.
- D
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
DAC allows owners to grant access.
Question 393 of 1,000
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.
Which of the following access control models allows the data owner to decide who can access their resources?
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) is the correct answer because it allows the data owner (the creator or custodian of the resource) to decide who can access their resources and at what privilege level. In DAC, access rights are assigned based on the owner's discretion, typically using Access Control Lists (ACLs) or owner-based permissions, as seen in file systems like NTFS or UNIX chmod.
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.
- ✗
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Why it's wrong here
ABAC uses attributes, not owner discretion.
- ✗
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why it's wrong here
MAC is system-enforced based on labels.
- ✗
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
RBAC assigns permissions based on roles, not owner discretion.
- ✓
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Why this is correct
DAC allows owners to grant access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that DAC is the same as 'user decides' but candidates confuse it with RBAC because both involve user roles, whereas DAC specifically ties control to the resource owner, not a role-based policy.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, DAC relies on the owner's ability to modify ACLs (e.g., via chmod or Windows security tab) to grant or revoke access, often using owner SIDs or UIDs. A subtle behavior is that DAC can lead to privilege escalation if an owner grants access to a malicious user, as there is no central policy enforcement. In real-world scenarios, DAC is common in shared file servers where users control their own folders, but it can create security gaps in multi-tenant environments.
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.
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 |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISSP question test?
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: Discretionary Access Control (DAC) — Discretionary Access Control (DAC) is the correct answer because it allows the data owner (the creator or custodian of the resource) to decide who can access their resources and at what privilege level. In DAC, access rights are assigned based on the owner's discretion, typically using Access Control Lists (ACLs) or owner-based permissions, as seen in file systems like NTFS or UNIX chmod.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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