The answer is Discretionary Access Control (DAC), because in this model the owner of a resource has full discretion over who can access it and with what permissions. The owner, typically the user who created the object, can grant or revoke access rights such as read, write, or execute to other subjects, often implemented through Access Control Lists (ACLs) on files or directories. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) exam, this concept tests your understanding of how ownership-based permissions differ from rule-based or role-based models; a common trap is confusing DAC with Mandatory Access Control (MAC), where the system—not the owner—dictates access. Remember that DAC is the default in most operating systems like Windows NTFS or Linux, where the owner decides permissions via commands like `chmod` or GUI properties. A helpful memory tip: think of the word “discretion” as meaning “owner’s choice”—if the owner can decide, it’s DAC.
SSCP Access Controls Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of access controls. 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.
In which access control model does the owner of a resource have full discretion over who can access it and with what permissions?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Discretionary Access Control (DAC) is the model where the resource owner has full authority to grant or deny access to other subjects and to set the permissions (e.g., read, write, execute) on the object. This is typically implemented through Access Control Lists (ACLs) on files or objects, as seen in Windows NTFS or Linux file permissions, where the owner can change permissions using commands like `chmod` or through GUI properties.
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.
✗
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Why it's wrong here
ABAC uses policies based on subject/object attributes; owners do not have direct control.
✓
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Why this is correct
DAC allows data owners to grant or deny access based on their discretion, making it the correct model.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
RBAC assigns permissions to roles, not to individuals; owners do not directly control access.
✗
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why it's wrong here
MAC uses centrally defined security labels; users cannot change access permissions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse DAC with RBAC because both involve user-based permissions, but the key distinction is that DAC gives the resource owner full discretion, whereas RBAC enforces access based on organizational roles, not individual owner decisions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In DAC, the owner's discretion is enforced through the object's ACL, which contains entries (ACEs) specifying which subjects have what permissions. A subtle behavior is that in some DAC implementations (e.g., POSIX ACLs), the owner can delegate the ability to change permissions to other users, but the owner always retains the right to modify the ACL. In real-world scenarios, DAC is common in shared file systems where users need to control access to their own documents, but it can lead to security risks if owners inadvertently grant excessive permissions.
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.
Access Controls — This question tests Access Controls — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Discretionary Access Control (DAC) — Discretionary Access Control (DAC) is the model where the resource owner has full authority to grant or deny access to other subjects and to set the permissions (e.g., read, write, execute) on the object. This is typically implemented through Access Control Lists (ACLs) on files or objects, as seen in Windows NTFS or Linux file permissions, where the owner can change permissions using commands like `chmod` or through GUI properties.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. An organization wants to implement an access control model where data owners decide who can access resources. Which model should they choose?
medium
A.Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
B.Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
C.Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
✓ D.Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Why D: Discretionary Access Control (DAC) is the correct model because it allows data owners (the users who create or own the resource) to decide who can access their resources. In DAC, the owner sets permissions (e.g., read, write, execute) on objects like files or directories, typically using Access Control Lists (ACLs). This directly matches the requirement where data owners control access decisions.
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
Question Discussion
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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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