- A
Audit logging and monitoring of privileged actions
Logging provides accountability, a key component of separation of duties.
- B
Role-based access control with mutually exclusive roles
RBAC can define conflicting roles that cannot be assigned together.
- C
Enforcing complex password policies
Why wrong: Password policies relate to authentication, not separation of duties.
- D
Using biometric authentication
Why wrong: Biometrics are for authentication, not separation of duties.
- E
Requiring two or more people to approve a transaction
Dual authorization ensures no single person can complete a critical action.
Question 655 of 1,000
SSCP Access Controls Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of access controls. 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.
An organization wants to implement separation of duties to reduce the risk of fraud. Which THREE of the following are common techniques used to enforce separation of duties?
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
✓
Audit logging and monitoring of privileged actions
Separation of duties is enforced through role-based access control (assigning conflicting roles to different users), requiring dual authorization for critical actions, and audit logging for accountability. Password complexity and biometrics are authentication, not separation of duties.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Audit logging and monitoring of privileged actions
Why this is correct
Logging provides accountability, a key component of separation of duties.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Role-based access control with mutually exclusive roles
Why this is correct
RBAC can define conflicting roles that cannot be assigned together.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Enforcing complex password policies
Why it's wrong here
Password policies relate to authentication, not separation of duties.
- ✗
Using biometric authentication
Why it's wrong here
Biometrics are for authentication, not separation of duties.
- ✓
Requiring two or more people to approve a transaction
Why this is correct
Dual authorization ensures no single person can complete a critical action.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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. Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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 |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SSCP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Access Controls — This question tests Access Controls — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Audit logging and monitoring of privileged actions — Separation of duties is enforced through role-based access control (assigning conflicting roles to different users), requiring dual authorization for critical actions, and audit logging for accountability. Password complexity and biometrics are authentication, not separation of duties.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SSCP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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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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