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SSCP Practice Question: A small business wants to implement an access…
A small business wants to implement an access control system where employees can access files based on their department (e.g., HR, Finance). They want simplicity and ease of administration. Which access control model is BEST suited?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse RBAC with DAC because both involve user-based permissions, but RBAC centralizes control through roles while DAC delegates control to individual resource owners, making RBAC the correct choice for department-based access.
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
✓
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is best suited because it maps access permissions directly to job functions (roles) such as HR or Finance, rather than to individual users. This simplifies administration: when an employee changes departments, the administrator simply updates their role assignment, and all associated permissions are automatically applied or revoked. RBAC is designed for environments where access decisions are based on organizational roles, providing a balance of security and ease of management.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why it's wrong here
MAC uses security labels and clearance levels, which is too rigid and complex for this simple department-based requirement.
- ✗
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Why it's wrong here
ABAC fails because it requires defining and maintaining multiple attribute rules (subject, resource, environment) to grant access, which contradicts the stated need for simplicity and ease of administration. It is tempting because ABAC offers fine-grained, context-aware control, making it ideal for dynamic environments like cloud storage where access depends on time, location, or device.
- ✗
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Why it's wrong here
DAC allows users to set permissions on their own objects, which does not enforce department-based access and can lead to inconsistent rules.
- ✓
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why this is correct
RBAC assigns permissions to roles, and users are assigned roles based on their department, providing a straightforward and manageable solution.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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