CISSP Security Architecture and Engineering Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security architecture and engineering. 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 THREE are core principles of secure system design?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
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Least privilege
The principle of least privilege mandates that users, processes, or systems should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their function. This reduces the attack surface and limits potential damage from compromised accounts or software flaws. In secure system design, it is enforced through access control lists (ACLs), role-based access control (RBAC), and mandatory access control (MAC) models.
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.
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Complexity increases security
Why it's wrong here
Complexity often introduces vulnerabilities and reduces maintainability.
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Security through obscurity
Why it's wrong here
Relying on secrecy alone is insufficient; security should be based on robust controls.
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Least privilege
Why this is correct
Subjects should have only the privileges needed to perform their tasks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Fail securely
Why this is correct
Systems should default to a secure state on failure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Defense in depth
Why this is correct
Multiple independent layers of defense protect against single points of failure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between 'security through obscurity' as a valid supplementary measure versus a core principle, and candidates mistakenly select it because they confuse obfuscation with a foundational design tenet.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Fail securely ensures that when a system error or exception occurs (e.g., a memory allocation failure or a dropped connection), the system defaults to a secure state—denying access rather than granting it. For example, a firewall rule set should default to 'deny all' and only permit explicitly allowed traffic, preventing accidental exposure during a crash or misconfiguration. Defense in depth layers multiple independent security controls (e.g., network firewalls, host-based IDS, application input validation) so that if one layer fails, others still provide protection.
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 Architecture and Engineering — This question tests Security Architecture and Engineering — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Least privilege — The principle of least privilege mandates that users, processes, or systems should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their function. This reduces the attack surface and limits potential damage from compromised accounts or software flaws. In secure system design, it is enforced through access control lists (ACLs), role-based access control (RBAC), and mandatory access control (MAC) models.
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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