- A
Access granted because the department matches
Why wrong: The time condition is not satisfied.
- B
Access denied because the department does not match
Why wrong: Department matches.
- C
Access granted because the user is in Engineering
Why wrong: Both conditions must be true.
- D
Access denied because the time is outside business hours
8:55 AM is before 9 AM, so the time condition fails.
Question 477 of 1,000
hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: Uses attribute-based access control (ABAC) for…
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of sscp exam topics. 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 uses attribute-based access control (ABAC) for its cloud storage. The policy states that a user can read a document only if the user’s department attribute matches the document’s department attribute AND the current time is within business hours (9AM-5PM). A user from Engineering tries to read a document classified for Engineering at 8:55 AM. What is the expected result?
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 denied because the time is outside business hours
The ABAC policy requires both conditions to be true: department match AND time within business hours (9AM-5PM). At 8:55 AM, the time condition is false, so access is denied regardless of the department match. This is a classic example of a conjunctive (AND) policy in ABAC where all attributes must satisfy the rules.
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.
- ✗
Access granted because the department matches
Why it's wrong here
The time condition is not satisfied.
- ✗
Access denied because the department does not match
Why it's wrong here
Department matches.
- ✗
Access granted because the user is in Engineering
Why it's wrong here
Both conditions must be true.
- ✓
Access denied because the time is outside business hours
Why this is correct
8:55 AM is before 9 AM, so the time condition fails.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates focus on the department match and overlook the conjunctive AND logic, assuming a single matching attribute is sufficient for access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In ABAC, policies are evaluated using a rule engine that checks all subject, resource, and environment attributes (e.g., time). The time attribute is often derived from an NTP-synchronized system clock, and policies may use XACML (eXtensible Access Control Markup Language) to define conjunctive conditions. A common real-world scenario is a cloud storage gateway that enforces time-based access to sensitive documents, preventing access during off-hours even if the user is authorized by department.
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.
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.
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 denied because the time is outside business hours — The ABAC policy requires both conditions to be true: department match AND time within business hours (9AM-5PM). At 8:55 AM, the time condition is false, so access is denied regardless of the department match. This is a classic example of a conjunctive (AND) policy in ABAC where all attributes must satisfy the rules.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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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