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 TWO of the following are types of access control models?
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
An access control model.
SAML
Why wrong: A federation protocol.
Kerberos
Why wrong: An authentication protocol.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
An access control model.
LDAP
Why wrong: A directory access protocol.
Answer choices
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 an access control model where the owner of a resource (e.g., a file or object) has the authority to grant or deny access to other subjects. This is typically implemented using Access Control Lists (ACLs) on objects, allowing the owner to set permissions (e.g., read, write, execute) for specific users or groups. DAC is defined in the Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria (TCSEC) as a fundamental model for controlling access based on the identity of subjects and/or the groups to which they belong.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
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
An access control model.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SAML
Why it's wrong here
A federation protocol.
Kerberos
Why it's wrong here
An authentication protocol.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why this is correct
An access control model.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
LDAP
Why it's wrong here
A directory access protocol.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse authentication and authorization protocols (SAML, Kerberos, LDAP) with access control models, which are abstract frameworks for defining how access decisions are made, not the mechanisms that implement them.
Detailed technical explanation
Access control models define the rules and policies that govern how subjects can access objects. DAC relies on object owners to set permissions, which can lead to security risks if owners inadvertently grant excessive access. In contrast, RBAC assigns permissions based on organizational roles, simplifying administration by decoupling user identity from access rights. Both models are foundational in the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) for Identity and Access Management, and they are often compared with non-discretionary models like Mandatory Access Control (MAC) in real-world implementations such as multilevel security systems.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Discretionary Access Control (DAC) — Discretionary Access Control (DAC) is an access control model where the owner of a resource (e.g., a file or object) has the authority to grant or deny access to other subjects. This is typically implemented using Access Control Lists (ACLs) on objects, allowing the owner to set permissions (e.g., read, write, execute) for specific users or groups. DAC is defined in the Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria (TCSEC) as a fundamental model for controlling access based on the identity of subjects and/or the groups to which they belong.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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