The answer is that the user is not a member of the local Users group or Administrators group. This is correct because on a domain-joined Windows server, the default security policy grants the "Allow log on locally" right exclusively to the local Administrators and local Users groups. While Domain Users are typically mapped into the local Users group, a Group Policy Object (GPO) can remove that mapping or explicitly remove the local Users group from the logon right, stripping local access for all domain users. On the CISSP exam, this tests your understanding of Windows security policy inheritance and the principle of least privilege—a common trap is assuming Domain Users automatically inherit local logon rights, when in fact GPOs can override default group memberships. Remember the mnemonic: "Local logon is a local right, not a domain right"—always check the local group membership, not just the domain group.
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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
Active Directory Group Policy Result:
Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> User Rights Assignment:
- Allow log on locally: Administrators, Users
- Deny log on locally: (empty)
- Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services: Administrators
- Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services: (empty)
Effective Access for user 'jdoe' (member of Domain Users):
- Log on locally: Denied (via membership in 'Remote Desktop Users' group? No)
- Log on through RDP: Not explicitly allowed or denied.
Refer to the exhibit. A user 'jdoe' is a member of the Domain Users group but not of the Administrators or Remote Desktop Users groups. The user reports they cannot log on locally to a domain-joined Windows server, but they can log on via RDP. Based on the GPO results, what is the MOST likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Refer to the exhibit.
Active Directory Group Policy Result:
Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> User Rights Assignment:
- Allow log on locally: Administrators, Users
- Deny log on locally: (empty)
- Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services: Administrators
- Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services: (empty)
Effective Access for user 'jdoe' (member of Domain Users):
- Log on locally: Denied (via membership in 'Remote Desktop Users' group? No)
- Log on through RDP: Not explicitly allowed or denied.
A
The user is a member of the Remote Desktop Users group
Why wrong: User is not a member of that group according to scenario.
B
The user is not a member of the local Users group or Administrators group
Domain Users are not in the local Users group; local logon is only allowed for Administrators and local Users.
C
The user is a member of a group that is denied local logon
Why wrong: Deny log on locally is empty.
D
The user is denied logon through Remote Desktop Services
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The user is not a member of the local Users group or Administrators group
The user 'jdoe' can log on via RDP but not locally because the default security policy on a domain-joined Windows server grants the 'Allow log on locally' right only to the local Administrators group and the local Users group. Since 'jdoe' is a member of Domain Users, which is mapped to the local Users group on a domain-joined server, the user should normally have local logon rights. However, the exhibit shows GPO results that likely indicate the local Users group has been removed from the 'Allow log on locally' policy, or the user is not actually a member of the local Users group (e.g., the server is configured to not map Domain Users to the local Users group). The most direct reason is that the user is not a member of either the local Users group or the local Administrators group, which are the only groups granted local logon by default.
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.
✗
The user is a member of the Remote Desktop Users group
Why it's wrong here
User is not a member of that group according to scenario.
✓
The user is not a member of the local Users group or Administrators group
Why this is correct
Domain Users are not in the local Users group; local logon is only allowed for Administrators and local Users.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The user is a member of a group that is denied local logon
Why it's wrong here
Deny log on locally is empty.
✗
The user is denied logon through Remote Desktop Services
Why it's wrong here
Deny RDP is empty; user can RDP.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume Domain Users automatically have local logon rights on all domain-joined servers, but a GPO can explicitly remove the local Users group from the 'Allow log on locally' policy, effectively blocking all standard domain users from interactive logon.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
User is not a member of that group according to scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the 'Allow log on locally' user right (SeInteractiveLogonRight) is defined in the Local Security Policy or via Group Policy under Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment. On a domain-joined server, the default includes the local Users group, which contains the Domain Users group via the well-known SID S-1-5-21-domain-513. If a GPO removes the local Users group from this right, only Administrators can log on locally. In real-world scenarios, this is often done to enforce least privilege on jump servers or critical infrastructure, forcing administrators to use RDP or other remote management tools.
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: The user is not a member of the local Users group or Administrators group — The user 'jdoe' can log on via RDP but not locally because the default security policy on a domain-joined Windows server grants the 'Allow log on locally' right only to the local Administrators group and the local Users group. Since 'jdoe' is a member of Domain Users, which is mapped to the local Users group on a domain-joined server, the user should normally have local logon rights. However, the exhibit shows GPO results that likely indicate the local Users group has been removed from the 'Allow log on locally' policy, or the user is not actually a member of the local Users group (e.g., the server is configured to not map Domain Users to the local Users group). The most direct reason is that the user is not a member of either the local Users group or the local Administrators group, which are the only groups granted local logon by default.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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