SSCP Access Controls Practice Question
A security administrator at a financial firm is configuring access control for a new document management system. The system must enforce access decisions based on the sensitivity labels of documents and the clearance levels of employees, and it must prevent users from delegating their access to others. Which access control model should the administrator implement?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any label-based or role-based model can enforce mandatory, non-delegable access, when only MAC uses system-controlled security labels that users cannot alter.
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
✓
Mandatory access control (MAC)
Mandatory access control (MAC) is the only model that uses system-enforced labels for both subjects and objects, and it prohibits users from changing or delegating access. The scenario requires sensitivity labels, clearance levels, and no delegation, which are defining characteristics of MAC. DAC, RBAC, and ABAC do not provide these mandatory, non-delegable controls by default.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Discretionary access control (DAC)
Why it's wrong here
DAC allows resource owners to set permissions at their discretion, including granting access to others. This does not enforce mandatory sensitivity labels or prevent delegation, which are core requirements here. DAC is identity-based and lacks the system-wide policy enforcement needed for clearance-level and classification-based decisions, making it unsuitable for this scenario.
- ✓
Mandatory access control (MAC)
Why this is correct
MAC enforces access based on security labels assigned to subjects and objects, and users cannot change or delegate these labels. This matches the requirement to use sensitivity labels and clearance levels while preventing delegation. The system, not the user, makes access decisions, ensuring strict confidentiality and integrity controls suitable for a financial firm.
- ✗
Attribute-based access control (ABAC)
Why it's wrong here
ABAC evaluates attributes of subjects, objects, and the environment to make access decisions. While it can incorporate clearance levels and labels, it is policy-driven and may allow delegation if policies permit. The scenario specifically requires a mandatory model that prevents delegation, which ABAC does not inherently enforce without additional constraints.
- ✗
Role-based access control (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
RBAC assigns permissions to roles rather than directly to users, but it does not inherently enforce sensitivity labels or clearance levels. While it can support separation of duties, it does not prevent a user from delegating access if they can assign their role to others. RBAC is not based on mandatory labeling, so it fails the stated requirements.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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.