easyMultiple Choice
SSCP Practice Question: A company implements a policy that requires all…
A company implements a policy that requires all employees to change their passwords every 60 days. Which of the following is the PRIMARY security benefit of this requirement?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between a primary security benefit and a secondary compliance or administrative convenience; the trap here is that candidates see 'compliance' (Option A) and assume it is the main goal, but the actual security rationale is limiting the window of opportunity for a compromised password.
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
✓
Limiting the window of opportunity for a compromised password.
Password expiration policies limit the exposure window for compromised credentials. If an attacker obtains a password, the 60-day rotation ensures that the stolen credential becomes invalid after that period, reducing the time an attacker can maintain unauthorized access. This is a fundamental security control to mitigate the risk of undetected credential theft.
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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Ensuring compliance with data privacy laws.
Why it's wrong here
Password rotation is an operational control, not a statutory obligation; privacy regulations such as UK GDPR require appropriate technical measures but mandate no specific expiry interval. It is tempting because auditors often ask about password policy, yet compliance is achieved through risk-based controls, not a fixed 60-day cycle.
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Reducing the risk of password reuse across multiple sites.
Why it's wrong here
Expiry forces a new value for the same account, but users often increment or reuse the same password, and it does nothing to stop the same secret being used on other sites. Reuse across systems is addressed by banning known-compromised credentials and enforcing unique passphrases, not by periodic rotation.
- ✓
Limiting the window of opportunity for a compromised password.
Why this is correct
A 60-day rotation shortens the period during which a stolen or cracked credential remains valid, so any compromise is usable only until the next change. This directly limits the exposure window, which is the primary benefit of enforced password ageing.
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Simplifying the account lockout process.
Why it's wrong here
Account lockout depends on failed-attempt thresholds and lockout duration settings, which are independent of password age. It is tempting because both sit within account policy, but expiry changes credentials rather than lockout behaviour; a shorter maximum password age neither triggers nor streamlines lockout.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SSCP 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 SSCP exam.