The correct answer is to use a tool to assign a unique, random password to the local Administrator account on each machine. This directly addresses the core vulnerability of local administrator password uniqueness: when every computer shares the same local admin password, a single compromised credential grants lateral movement across the entire lab. The SSCP exam tests your understanding of privileged account management and the principle of least privilege, often presenting a trap where candidates mistakenly choose to disable the account or rely solely on Software Restriction Policies. Remember, disabling the built-in Administrator can break legitimate administrative tasks, while a unique random password per system neutralizes the shared-credential threat without affecting student functionality. A useful memory tip: think “one password, one machine” to enforce isolation.
SSCP Systems and Application Security Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of systems and application security. 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 university IT department manages a lab of 50 computers running Windows 10 that are used by students for coursework. The computers are joined to a domain and have Group Policy applied to restrict administrative access. Recently, several students were able to install unauthorized software by using the built-in Administrator account, which had the same password on all lab computers. The IT department wants to prevent this without affecting the students' ability to run required academic software. Which of the following is the most effective solution?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a tool to assign a unique, random password to the local Administrator account on each computer.
Option C is correct because changing the local Administrator password to a unique, complex value for each machine prevents lateral movement and unauthorized use. Option A is incorrect because disabling the account might break functionality if it's relied upon. Option B is incorrect because while SRP helps, it does not prevent use of the Administrator account. Option D is incorrect because standard user accounts do not have installation rights, but if students know the Admin password, they can still use it.
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.
✗
Configure the computers to only allow standard user accounts.
Why it's wrong here
Standard users cannot install software, but if the Admin password is known, they can still elevate.
✗
Disable the local Administrator account on all lab computers.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling may break domain join or other operations; also students might use other privileged accounts.
✓
Use a tool to assign a unique, random password to the local Administrator account on each computer.
Why this is correct
Unique passwords prevent use of a known shared password across all machines.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Implement Software Restriction Policies to block unauthorized executables.
Why it's wrong here
SRP limits software execution but does not prevent use of the Administrator account.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Systems and Application Security — This question tests Systems and Application Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a tool to assign a unique, random password to the local Administrator account on each computer. — Option C is correct because changing the local Administrator password to a unique, complex value for each machine prevents lateral movement and unauthorized use. Option A is incorrect because disabling the account might break functionality if it's relied upon. Option B is incorrect because while SRP helps, it does not prevent use of the Administrator account. Option D is incorrect because standard user accounts do not have installation rights, but if students know the Admin password, they can still use it.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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.
Question Discussion
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