hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: Implements a policy that the same individual…
An organization implements a policy that the same individual cannot both create a purchase order and approve it in the financial system. Which security principle does this control primarily enforce?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse separation of duties with least privilege, but least privilege only limits permissions to the minimum needed, whereas separation of duties specifically prevents a single user from executing two conflicting functions that could enable fraud or error.
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
Separation of duties (SoD) is the security principle that prevents a single individual from performing conflicting tasks, such as creating and approving a purchase order. By splitting these responsibilities, the organization reduces the risk of fraud, errors, and unauthorized transactions, ensuring that no single person has unchecked control over a critical financial process.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Job rotation
Why it's wrong here
Job rotation moves employees between roles to cross-train and detect fraud, but is not the primary principle here.
- ✗
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege restricts a user's permissions to the minimum necessary for their job, but does not inherently prevent overlapping roles.
- ✗
Need-to-know
Why it's wrong here
Need-to-know restricts access to information only if required for the user's duties, not about process segregation.
- ✓
Separation of duties
Why this is correct
Separation of duties divides critical functions among multiple users to prevent fraud and errors.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.