- A
Need to know
Why wrong: Need to know applies to information access, not command execution.
- B
Least privilege
Least privilege grants only the permissions required to perform the job.
- C
Separation of duties
Why wrong: Separation of duties splits critical tasks among multiple people, not relevant here.
- D
Defense in depth
Why wrong: Defense in depth is a layered security approach, not a permission assignment principle.
Question 594 of 1,000
easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: A system administrator needs to assign…
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of a system administrator needs to assign…. 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.
A system administrator needs to assign permissions to a new employee who will be performing database backups. The employee should only be able to execute the backup command but not read or modify the data. Which access control principle should be applied?
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
✓
Least privilege
The least privilege principle dictates that a user should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job function. In this scenario, the employee needs only the ability to execute the backup command (e.g., using a tool like `pg_dump` or `mysqldump` with a read-only snapshot), not read or modify the underlying data files. Applying least privilege ensures the backup process can run without granting broader SELECT or FILE privileges that would allow data access or alteration.
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.
- ✗
Need to know
Why it's wrong here
Need to know applies to information access, not command execution.
- ✓
Least privilege
Why this is correct
Least privilege grants only the permissions required to perform the job.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Separation of duties
Why it's wrong here
Separation of duties splits critical tasks among multiple people, not relevant here.
- ✗
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth is a layered security approach, not a permission assignment principle.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'least privilege' with 'need to know' because both limit access, but least privilege focuses on the minimum permissions to perform an action (execute a command), while need to know focuses on whether the user requires access to specific data content.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Need to know applies to information access, not command execution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, implementing least privilege for database backups often involves creating a dedicated database role with only the `BACKUP` or `EXECUTE` privilege on the backup utility, and revoking any `SELECT`, `INSERT`, `UPDATE`, or `DELETE` on the data tables. For example, in SQL Server, you might grant `VIEW SERVER STATE` and `BACKUP DATABASE` without granting `db_datareader`, ensuring the backup process uses a read-only snapshot without direct data access. In real-world scenarios, misconfiguration can occur if the backup account is mistakenly added to the `db_owner` role, granting full data access and violating least privilege.
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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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: Least privilege — The least privilege principle dictates that a user should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job function. In this scenario, the employee needs only the ability to execute the backup command (e.g., using a tool like `pg_dump` or `mysqldump` with a read-only snapshot), not read or modify the underlying data files. Applying least privilege ensures the backup process can run without granting broader SELECT or FILE privileges that would allow data access or alteration.
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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