- A
Data Handling Policy
Why wrong: Data handling policy governs data classification and protection, not password sharing.
- B
Password Policy
Why wrong: Password policy covers complexity, expiration, and reuse, but the specific prohibition of sharing is often in the AUP.
- C
Remote Access Policy
Why wrong: Remote access policy covers how to connect remotely, not password sharing.
- D
Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
Correct. AUP defines acceptable and unacceptable use of organizational resources, including password sharing.
Question 188 of 1,000
SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of security operations and administration. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
An organization's security policy prohibits employees from sharing passwords. What type of policy is this?
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
✓
Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) defines the rules and guidelines for using an organization's IT resources, including prohibited behaviors like password sharing. This policy sets the overall acceptable behavior framework, whereas a Password Policy specifically governs password creation, complexity, and rotation rules, not the act of sharing. Therefore, a prohibition on sharing passwords falls under the AUP because it addresses user conduct rather than technical password parameters.
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.
- ✗
Data Handling Policy
Why it's wrong here
Data handling policy governs data classification and protection, not password sharing.
- ✗
Password Policy
Why it's wrong here
Password policy covers complexity, expiration, and reuse, but the specific prohibition of sharing is often in the AUP.
- ✗
Remote Access Policy
Why it's wrong here
Remote access policy covers how to connect remotely, not password sharing.
- ✓
Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
Why this is correct
Correct. AUP defines acceptable and unacceptable use of organizational resources, including password sharing.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between a Password Policy (technical rules for password creation) and an Acceptable Use Policy (behavioral rules for password usage), leading candidates to mistakenly choose Password Policy when the question focuses on prohibited conduct rather than technical specifications.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, an AUP is often enforced through user acknowledgment during onboarding and may be referenced in system banners (e.g., Cisco ISE or Active Directory logon messages) to establish legal and disciplinary grounds. Password sharing violates the principle of non-repudiation because shared credentials break the audit trail, making it impossible to attribute actions to a specific user in logs (e.g., Windows Security Event ID 4624). In real-world scenarios, organizations implement Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions to eliminate shared passwords by using temporary, just-in-time credentials.
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Security Operations and Administration — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Security Operations and Administration — This question tests Security Operations and Administration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) — The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) defines the rules and guidelines for using an organization's IT resources, including prohibited behaviors like password sharing. This policy sets the overall acceptable behavior framework, whereas a Password Policy specifically governs password creation, complexity, and rotation rules, not the act of sharing. Therefore, a prohibition on sharing passwords falls under the AUP because it addresses user conduct rather than technical password parameters.
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 →
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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