SSCP Access Controls Practice Question
A security administrator is configuring a new system and wants to enforce a mandatory access control model to ensure confidentiality of classified data. Which access control model should the administrator implement?
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
✓
Bell-LaPadula
Bell-LaPadula is a mandatory access control model that focuses on confidentiality by preventing read-up and write-down.
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 owners to set permissions, which is not mandatory.
- ✗
Biba
Why it's wrong here
Biba is a mandatory access control model for integrity, not confidentiality.
- ✗
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
RBAC is not necessarily mandatory; it is role-based and can be discretionary.
- ✓
Bell-LaPadula
Why this is correct
Bell-LaPadula enforces confidentiality through mandatory labels and the simple security property and *-property.
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 |
Go deeper
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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.