SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
A security administrator is implementing a new access control system. The organization wants to ensure that users are granted only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions and nothing more. Which principle is being applied?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is conflating least privilege with implicit deny; implicit deny is about default denial, while least privilege is about minimizing what is explicitly granted.
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
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Least privilege
Least privilege is the principle of providing users with only the access rights required for their tasks. It minimizes the potential for accidental or malicious misuse of privileges. Separation of duties, defense in depth, and implicit deny are related but distinct concepts that do not directly address minimizing granted permissions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Least privilege
Why this is correct
Least privilege means granting users only the access required to perform their job and no more. This directly matches the requirement to avoid excessive permissions. It reduces attack surface and limits damage from compromised accounts, making it the correct principle for this scenario.
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Implicit deny
Why it's wrong here
Implicit deny means that unless access is explicitly granted, it is denied. This is a default stance in many access control models, but it does not ensure that granted permissions are minimal. The scenario emphasizes not granting more than needed, which is least privilege.
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Separation of duties
Why it's wrong here
Separation of duties divides critical tasks among multiple people to prevent fraud, but it does not limit permissions to the minimum necessary for a role. It is a complementary control that reduces risk of abuse, yet the scenario describes least privilege, not task splitting.
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Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth layers multiple security controls to protect assets, but it does not specifically address granting minimal permissions. While least privilege can be part of a layered strategy, the scenario focuses on limiting user rights, which is the definition of least privilege.
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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.