- A
Remote access policy
The policy governs remote connections; unauthorized remote access is a direct violation.
- B
Data handling policy
Why wrong: Data handling policy covers classification and protection of data, not remote access.
- C
Password policy
Why wrong: Password policy covers password strength, not remote access permissions.
- D
Acceptable use policy (AUP)
Why wrong: AUP covers acceptable use of company resources, but remote access policy is more specific.
Question 314 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 reviewing log files and notices that a user logged in at 3:00 AM from an IP address in a foreign country. The user's manager confirms the user is not authorized for remote access. Which type of policy has likely been violated?
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
✓
Remote access policy
The scenario describes a user logging in from an unauthorized location (foreign country) at an unusual time (3:00 AM) without remote access authorization. This directly violates the remote access policy, which defines who can connect remotely, from where, and under what conditions. The policy typically specifies allowed authentication methods (e.g., VPN with multi-factor authentication), permitted IP ranges, and time-of-day restrictions to prevent unauthorized external connections.
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.
- ✓
Remote access policy
Why this is correct
The policy governs remote connections; unauthorized remote access is a direct violation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Data handling policy
Why it's wrong here
Data handling policy covers classification and protection of data, not remote access.
- ✗
Password policy
Why it's wrong here
Password policy covers password strength, not remote access permissions.
- ✗
Acceptable use policy (AUP)
Why it's wrong here
AUP covers acceptable use of company resources, but remote access policy is more specific.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and a Remote Access Policy, where candidates mistakenly choose AUP because it sounds broad, but the specific violation here is about unauthorized remote connectivity, not general misuse of resources.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Remote access policies often integrate with network access control (NAC) systems and VPN gateways that enforce geolocation-based restrictions using IP geolocation databases (e.g., MaxMind GeoIP). These systems can trigger alerts or block connections from unauthorized countries via ACLs on the VPN concentrator or firewall. In real-world scenarios, a violation like this might also indicate a compromised account, prompting immediate revocation of credentials and a forensic review of authentication logs (e.g., RADIUS accounting records).
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: Remote access policy — The scenario describes a user logging in from an unauthorized location (foreign country) at an unusual time (3:00 AM) without remote access authorization. This directly violates the remote access policy, which defines who can connect remotely, from where, and under what conditions. The policy typically specifies allowed authentication methods (e.g., VPN with multi-factor authentication), permitted IP ranges, and time-of-day restrictions to prevent unauthorized external connections.
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.
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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