- A
Firewall rules
Why wrong: Firewalls are technical controls.
- B
Access control policies
Policies are administrative controls.
- C
Security awareness training
Training is an administrative control.
- D
Security guards
Why wrong: Guards are physical controls.
- E
Encryption of data at rest
Why wrong: Encryption is a technical control.
Question 406 of 1,000
easyMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
Administrative Controls: Policies and Training
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of sscp exam topics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which TWO of the following are examples of administrative controls? (Choose 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
✓
Access control policies
Access control policies (B) are administrative controls because they define the rules, procedures, and responsibilities for managing access to resources, forming the governance framework that guides technical and physical implementations. Security awareness training (C) is also an administrative control as it educates users on security policies and procedures, reducing human error and reinforcing organizational security culture.
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.
- ✗
Firewall rules
Why it's wrong here
Firewalls are technical controls.
- ✓
Access control policies
Why this is correct
Policies are administrative controls.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Security awareness training
Why this is correct
Training is an administrative control.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Security guards
Why it's wrong here
Guards are physical controls.
- ✗
Encryption of data at rest
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is a technical control.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse administrative controls with technical or physical controls, mistakenly selecting firewall rules or encryption because they are common security measures, but the SSCP exam specifically tests the distinction between administrative (policy/training), technical (software/hardware), and physical (guards/locks) control categories.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Administrative controls are the foundation of a defense-in-depth strategy, often documented in security policies, standards, and procedures that comply with frameworks like NIST SP 800-53 or ISO 27001. For example, an access control policy might specify role-based access control (RBAC) rules, while security awareness training ensures users understand phishing risks and password hygiene, directly reducing the likelihood of social engineering attacks.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Access control policies — Access control policies (B) are administrative controls because they define the rules, procedures, and responsibilities for managing access to resources, forming the governance framework that guides technical and physical implementations. Security awareness training (C) is also an administrative control as it educates users on security policies and procedures, reducing human error and reinforcing organizational security culture.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on SSCP
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO of the following are examples of administrative controls in a security program? (Choose two.)
easy- ✓ A.Security policies
- B.Firewall rules
- C.Locks on server room doors
- ✓ D.Employee background checks
- E.Intrusion detection software
Why A: Security policies (A) are administrative controls because they define the rules, responsibilities, and expected behaviors for users and administrators, forming the foundation of a security program. Employee background checks (D) are also administrative controls, as they are personnel vetting procedures that reduce insider risk and enforce trust before granting access. Both are non-technical, process-based measures that guide human actions rather than directly blocking or detecting threats.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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