CISSP Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 TWO of the following are considered the primary access control models in the context of the CISSP? (Select two.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Mandatory Access Control (MAC) is a primary access control model where access decisions are based on fixed security labels (e.g., classification levels like Top Secret, Secret, Confidential) assigned to subjects and objects by a central authority. The system enforces these labels, and users cannot override them, making it a core model for high-security environments such as military or government systems. In the CISSP context, MAC and DAC are traditionally considered the two foundational models, with RBAC and ABAC often treated as extensions or implementations of DAC.
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 (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
RBAC is a widely used model but not considered 'primary' in the same sense.
✓
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why this is correct
MAC is the other primary model with system-enforced policies.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Why it's wrong here
ABAC is a later model using attributes, not primary.
✓
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Why this is correct
DAC is one of the primary models where owners control access.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Risk-Based Access Control
Why it's wrong here
Risk-based is an adaptive approach, not a classic model.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the misconception that RBAC or ABAC are 'primary' models because they are modern and common, but the CISSP exam historically defines MAC and DAC as the two primary models, with others as derivatives or extensions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, MAC relies on a reference monitor that enforces the Bell-LaPadula model (for confidentiality) or Biba model (for integrity), using security labels that are compared via rules like 'no read up, no write down' (Bell-LaPadula). In practice, SELinux implements MAC on Linux systems using Flask security architecture, where every subject and object has a security context (e.g., user_u:role_r:type_t:level_s0-s0:c0.c1023). A real-world scenario is a classified document system where a user with 'Secret' clearance cannot read a 'Top Secret' file, even if the file owner wants to share it.
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: Mandatory Access Control (MAC) — Mandatory Access Control (MAC) is a primary access control model where access decisions are based on fixed security labels (e.g., classification levels like Top Secret, Secret, Confidential) assigned to subjects and objects by a central authority. The system enforces these labels, and users cannot override them, making it a core model for high-security environments such as military or government systems. In the CISSP context, MAC and DAC are traditionally considered the two foundational models, with RBAC and ABAC often treated as extensions or implementations of DAC.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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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