SSCP Access Controls Practice Question
A security administrator is configuring password policies to meet compliance. Which combination of settings provides the strongest protection against brute-force attacks?
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
✓
Minimum 12 characters, complexity required, lockout after 5 attempts, history of 10
Longer passwords with complexity and account lockout significantly increase the time required for brute-force attacks, while history prevents reuse. Short expiry (e.g., 30 days) also helps, but length and lockout are most effective.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Minimum 10 characters, no complexity, lockout after 3 attempts, history of 1
Why it's wrong here
No complexity reduces password entropy; history of 1 allows reuse.
- ✗
Minimum 6 characters, complexity required, lockout after 10 attempts, history of 5
Why it's wrong here
6 characters is too short; lockout threshold is higher, making it weaker.
- ✗
Minimum 8 characters, no complexity, no lockout, password history of 3
Why it's wrong here
8 characters without complexity and no lockout is weak against brute-force.
- ✓
Minimum 12 characters, complexity required, lockout after 5 attempts, history of 10
Why this is correct
Correct. Longer length, complexity, lockout, and history provide strong protection.
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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.