- A
Discretionary access control
Why wrong: DAC allows owners to set permissions, not described.
- B
Separation of duties
Ordering and approving medications are separated to prevent fraud or error.
- C
Need to know
Why wrong: Need to know restricts access to data based on necessity, but the scenario focuses on permissions for actions.
- D
Mandatory access control
Why wrong: MAC uses labels, not described here.
- E
Least privilege
Nurses are limited to view only, doctors have necessary permissions.
Question 927 of 1,000
SSCP Access Controls Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of access controls. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 architect is designing an access control system for a healthcare application. The system must ensure that a nurse can view patient records but cannot modify them, and that a doctor can both view and update records. Additionally, the system must prevent a single user from both ordering a medication and approving its administration. Which TWO access control principles are being applied? (Select TWO.)
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
✓
Separation of duties
Least privilege ensures users have only the permissions needed (nurse view, doctor view/update). Separation of duties prevents a single user from performing conflicting actions (order and approve).
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Discretionary access control
Why it's wrong here
DAC allows owners to set permissions, not described.
- ✓
Separation of duties
Why this is correct
Ordering and approving medications are separated to prevent fraud or error.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Need to know
Why it's wrong here
Need to know restricts access to data based on necessity, but the scenario focuses on permissions for actions.
- ✗
Mandatory access control
Why it's wrong here
MAC uses labels, not described here.
- ✓
Least privilege
Why this is correct
Nurses are limited to view only, doctors have necessary permissions.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Need to know restricts access to data based on necessity, but the scenario focuses on permissions for actions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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. Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access. 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.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SSCP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Access Controls — This question tests Access Controls — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Separation of duties — Least privilege ensures users have only the permissions needed (nurse view, doctor view/update). Separation of duties prevents a single user from performing conflicting actions (order and approve).
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SSCP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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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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