The correct answer is least privilege, because this principle dictates that users should only receive the exact permissions needed to perform their specific tasks—nothing more. In this scenario, the help desk technician requires the ability to reset passwords but must be explicitly blocked from modifying other user attributes like group membership or account expiration. This is a classic least privilege principle access control example, where permissions are scoped to a single operation, often implemented through delegated roles in Active Directory or custom RBAC roles. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this concept tests your understanding of how to apply granular access controls to reduce attack surface and prevent privilege escalation. A common trap is confusing least privilege with separation of duties; remember, least privilege is about minimizing permissions, not splitting tasks. Memory tip: think “just enough access, nothing extra”—like giving a valet only the car key, not the house key.
SSCP Access Controls Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of access controls. 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.
A help desk technician needs to reset a user's password but should not be able to modify other user attributes. Which access control principle should be applied to enforce this restriction?
Why wrong: Need-to-know limits access to data, not actions; it is not the best fit for restricting operational permissions.
B
Least privilege
Least privilege grants only the minimal permissions required to perform a job, which directly applies to restricting the technician to password reset only.
C
Separation of duties
Why wrong: Separation of duties involves dividing responsibilities among multiple people to prevent fraud, not restricting a single user's permissions.
D
Mandatory access control
Why wrong: MAC uses sensitivity labels and clearance levels; it is not designed for granular administrative task restrictions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Least privilege
Least privilege ensures that a user or process is granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job function. In this scenario, the help desk technician needs the ability to reset passwords but must be restricted from modifying other user attributes, such as group membership or account expiration. By applying least privilege, the technician's account is assigned a role or permission set that specifically allows password reset operations (e.g., via Active Directory delegated permissions or a custom RBAC role) while explicitly denying write access to other user object properties.
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.
✗
Need-to-know
Why it's wrong here
Need-to-know limits access to data, not actions; it is not the best fit for restricting operational permissions.
✓
Least privilege
Why this is correct
Least privilege grants only the minimal permissions required to perform a job, which directly applies to restricting the technician to password reset only.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Separation of duties
Why it's wrong here
Separation of duties involves dividing responsibilities among multiple people to prevent fraud, not restricting a single user's permissions.
✗
Mandatory access control
Why it's wrong here
MAC uses sensitivity labels and clearance levels; it is not designed for granular administrative task restrictions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests least privilege by presenting a scenario where a user needs a specific action (like password reset) and candidates confuse it with separation of duties, which focuses on splitting tasks across multiple people rather than limiting the scope of a single user's permissions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Active Directory, least privilege for password resets is implemented by delegating control over the 'Reset Password' permission on user objects while explicitly denying 'Write' permissions to other attributes like 'memberOf' or 'accountExpires'. This can be done via the Delegation of Control Wizard or by setting granular ACEs in the DACL. In Linux, sudoers entries can limit a user to running only the 'passwd' command for specific users, preventing modification of other account settings like shell or home directory.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Access Controls — This question tests Access Controls — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Least privilege — Least privilege ensures that a user or process is granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job function. In this scenario, the help desk technician needs the ability to reset passwords but must be restricted from modifying other user attributes, such as group membership or account expiration. By applying least privilege, the technician's account is assigned a role or permission set that specifically allows password reset operations (e.g., via Active Directory delegated permissions or a custom RBAC role) while explicitly denying write access to other user object properties.
What should I do if I get this SSCP 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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