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 needs to ensure that only authorized personnel can reset user passwords in Active Directory. Which of the following is the BEST method to delegate this responsibility without granting unnecessary privileges?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Delegation of Control wizard to assign the 'Reset user passwords and force password change at next logon' permission.
The Delegation of Control wizard allows granular assignment of specific Active Directory permissions, such as 'Reset user passwords and force password change at next logon', without granting broader administrative rights. This follows the principle of least privilege by limiting the delegated personnel to only the necessary task. Option C is correct because it directly addresses the requirement with a built-in, secure delegation mechanism.
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.
✗
Place the personnel in the Account Operators group.
Why it's wrong here
Account Operators can create and manage user accounts, which is more than resetting passwords.
✗
Add the personnel to the Domain Admins group.
Why it's wrong here
Domain Admins have full control over the domain, far beyond password reset.
✓
Use Delegation of Control wizard to assign the 'Reset user passwords and force password change at next logon' permission.
Why this is correct
This provides exactly the needed permission without extra rights.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Give the personnel physical access to the domain controller.
Why it's wrong here
Physical access does not grant administrative permissions and is a security risk.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume built-in groups like Account Operators are the simplest delegation method, overlooking that they grant far more permissions than the specific task requires, which is a common violation of the principle of least privilege tested on the SSCP.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Delegation of Control wizard leverages Active Directory's access control lists (ACLs) to apply granular permissions on specific OUs or objects. Under the hood, it modifies the DACL on the container or user objects to include an access control entry (ACE) for the 'Reset Password' extended right (controlAccessRight with GUID 00299570-246d-11d0-a768-00aa006e0529). In real-world scenarios, this is commonly used to allow helpdesk staff to reset passwords for a specific OU (e.g., 'Employees') without granting them rights to modify other attributes or objects.
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.
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: Use Delegation of Control wizard to assign the 'Reset user passwords and force password change at next logon' permission. — The Delegation of Control wizard allows granular assignment of specific Active Directory permissions, such as 'Reset user passwords and force password change at next logon', without granting broader administrative rights. This follows the principle of least privilege by limiting the delegated personnel to only the necessary task. Option C is correct because it directly addresses the requirement with a built-in, secure delegation mechanism.
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.
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Question Discussion
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