SSCP Access Controls Practice Question
An organization is implementing a privileged access management (PAM) solution. Which THREE of the following are common PAM capabilities?
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
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Just-in-time (JIT) provisioning of privileged access
PAM includes password vaulting, session recording, and just-in-time provisioning to secure privileged accounts.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Just-in-time (JIT) provisioning of privileged access
Why this is correct
Just-in-time provisioning grants elevated rights only for a defined window, then revokes them automatically, directly satisfying PAM's need to eliminate standing privileges. This contrasts with permanent admin accounts, which persist indefinitely and widen the attack surface. JIT is a core PAM capability alongside credential vaulting and session recording.
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Single sign-on for all applications
Why it's wrong here
PAM governs privileged accounts through vaulting, session recording and just-in-time elevation, not general application login federation. Single sign-on authenticates ordinary users across many apps; it would be the right answer if the question asked about reducing password fatigue or centralising workforce authentication.
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Password vaulting for storing privileged credentials securely
Why this is correct
Password vaulting directly satisfies the PAM requirement to protect privileged credentials, storing them in an encrypted repository rather than exposing them to administrators. This enforces check-out, rotation and auditability, so credentials remain concealed and individually accountable. It is a core PAM capability alongside session management and just-in-time elevation.
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Self-service password reset for end users
Why it's wrong here
Self-service password reset lets ordinary end users recover their own credentials, whereas PAM controls shared, elevated and service accounts through credential vaulting, checkout and rotation. SSPR would be correct if the scenario concerned reducing helpdesk call volume for standard user accounts.
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Recording and monitoring of privileged sessions
Why this is correct
Session recording captures keystrokes, commands and screen activity during privileged access, creating an audit trail that satisfies the accountability and monitoring requirements of a PAM deployment. It directly addresses the need to detect and investigate misuse by administrators, a core control alongside credential vaulting and just-in-time elevation.
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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.