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SSCP Practice Question: Drag and drop the steps for implementing…
Drag and drop the steps for implementing mandatory access control (MAC) using security labels into the correct order.
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
✓
Step 1: Define security levels and categories. Step 2: Label all objects with sensitivity labels. Step 3: Assign security clearances to subjects. Step 4: Configure the reference monitor to enforce MAC rules (no read up, no write down).
MAC relies on predefined labels; subjects and objects are labeled, then the reference monitor enforces rules like no read up, no write down.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Step 1: Define security levels and categories. Step 2: Label all objects with sensitivity labels. Step 3: Assign security clearances to subjects. Step 4: Configure the reference monitor to enforce MAC rules (no read up, no write down).
Why this is correct
This is the correct order because you must first establish the security labels (levels/categories) that will be used, then label objects, then assign clearances to subjects, and finally enforce the rules via the reference monitor. This sequence ensures that all components are in place before enforcement.
- ✗
Step 1: Define security levels and categories. Step 2: Assign security clearances to subjects. Step 3: Label all objects with sensitivity labels. Step 4: Configure the reference monitor to enforce MAC rules.
Why it's wrong here
This order is incorrect because subject clearances should be assigned after object labels are defined—the clearances are based on the same label system. Assigning clearances before labeling objects makes it hard to ensure consistent label definitions.
- ✗
Step 1: Define security levels and categories. Step 2: Configure the reference monitor to enforce MAC rules. Step 3: Label all objects with sensitivity labels. Step 4: Assign security clearances to subjects.
Why it's wrong here
This order is incorrect because you cannot configure enforcement rules before labels and clearances are assigned. The reference monitor needs to know which labels correspond to which subjects and objects to enforce correctly.
- ✗
Step 1: Label all objects with sensitivity labels. Step 2: Define security levels and categories. Step 3: Assign security clearances to subjects. Step 4: Configure the reference monitor to enforce MAC rules.
Why it's wrong here
This order is incorrect because you must first define the security levels and categories before you can label objects. Object labels are meaningless without a predefined labeling scheme.
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 |
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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.