- A
Data handling policy
Why wrong: Data handling policy covers classification, storage, and transmission of data, not authentication requirements.
- B
Password policy
A password policy defines rules for password creation, management, and authentication, including multi-factor authentication.
- C
Social media policy
Why wrong: Social media policy governs acceptable use of social media, not password requirements.
- D
Remote access policy
Why wrong: Remote access policy governs how employees connect to the corporate network remotely, not general password rules.
Question 359 of 1,000
SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of security operations and administration. 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 security administrator is implementing a policy that requires all employees to use a password manager and enable multi-factor authentication. This policy is BEST described as a:
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
✓
Password policy
The policy requires all employees to use a password manager and enable multi-factor authentication, which directly governs the creation, storage, and authentication strength of user credentials. This is the core function of a password policy, as defined in security frameworks like NIST SP 800-53 (IA-5) and ISO 27001 (A.9.2.1). It specifically addresses password complexity, rotation, and MFA enforcement, not data classification or access methods.
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.
- ✗
Data handling policy
Why it's wrong here
Data handling policy covers classification, storage, and transmission of data, not authentication requirements.
- ✓
Password policy
Why this is correct
A password policy defines rules for password creation, management, and authentication, including multi-factor authentication.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Social media policy
Why it's wrong here
Social media policy governs acceptable use of social media, not password requirements.
- ✗
Remote access policy
Why it's wrong here
Remote access policy governs how employees connect to the corporate network remotely, not general password rules.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse a password policy (which includes MFA as an authentication control) with a remote access policy, because MFA is often associated with VPN logins, but the question explicitly states it applies to all employees, not just remote workers.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Password managers typically use a master password to encrypt a local vault (e.g., using AES-256-GCM) and may integrate with MFA via TOTP (RFC 6238) or FIDO2 WebAuthn to enforce step-up authentication. In a real-world scenario, a password policy that mandates MFA can prevent credential stuffing attacks even if the password manager vault is compromised, because the second factor (e.g., a hardware token or biometric) is required for each session. The policy must also specify minimum password length (e.g., 12 characters) and prohibit reuse across accounts, which is enforced by the password manager's built-in generator.
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.
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Security Operations and Administration — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Security Operations and Administration — This question tests Security Operations and Administration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Password policy — The policy requires all employees to use a password manager and enable multi-factor authentication, which directly governs the creation, storage, and authentication strength of user credentials. This is the core function of a password policy, as defined in security frameworks like NIST SP 800-53 (IA-5) and ISO 27001 (A.9.2.1). It specifically addresses password complexity, rotation, and MFA enforcement, not data classification or access methods.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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