- A
Access is denied because the subject's clearance is lower than the object's classification
MAC enforces that a subject can only read objects with a classification equal to or lower than their clearance (no read up).
- B
Access is granted because the user has write permission
Why wrong: MAC controls read and write separately; write permission does not imply read permission.
- C
Access is granted if the user is the owner of the file
Why wrong: In MAC, ownership does not override clearance requirements; the system controls access.
- D
Access is granted because the user has a need-to-know
Why wrong: Need-to-know is a separate principle; MAC enforces clearance level first. Without proper clearance, need-to-know is irrelevant.
Question 183 of 1,000
mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: A military system uses mandatory access control…
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of sscp exam topics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 military system uses mandatory access control with classifications Unclassified, Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret. A user with Secret clearance attempts to read a file labeled Top Secret. What will occur?
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 is denied because the subject's clearance is lower than the object's classification
In a mandatory access control (MAC) system, access decisions are based on comparing the subject's clearance level with the object's classification label. Since the user has a Secret clearance and the file is classified Top Secret, the subject's clearance is lower than the object's classification, so read access is denied per the Bell-LaPadula model's Simple Security Property (no read up).
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 is denied because the subject's clearance is lower than the object's classification
Why this is correct
MAC enforces that a subject can only read objects with a classification equal to or lower than their clearance (no read up).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Access is granted because the user has write permission
Why it's wrong here
MAC controls read and write separately; write permission does not imply read permission.
- ✗
Access is granted if the user is the owner of the file
Why it's wrong here
In MAC, ownership does not override clearance requirements; the system controls access.
- ✗
Access is granted because the user has a need-to-know
Why it's wrong here
Need-to-know is a separate principle; MAC enforces clearance level first. Without proper clearance, need-to-know is irrelevant.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse mandatory access control with discretionary access control, assuming that ownership or need-to-know can override classification labels, but in MAC, clearance level is the primary and non-negotiable gate for read access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, MAC systems like SELinux or military MLS (Multi-Level Security) enforce a lattice-based policy where each subject has a clearance level and each object has a classification; the kernel checks these labels on every access. A subtle behavior is that even if the user has Secret clearance, they cannot read a Top Secret file because the system's reference monitor compares the security levels using a dominance relation—Top Secret dominates Secret, so the read is blocked. In real-world scenarios, this prevents accidental or malicious leakage of highly classified data to lower-cleared personnel, even if they have legitimate need-to-know.
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 is denied because the subject's clearance is lower than the object's classification — In a mandatory access control (MAC) system, access decisions are based on comparing the subject's clearance level with the object's classification label. Since the user has a Secret clearance and the file is classified Top Secret, the subject's clearance is lower than the object's classification, so read access is denied per the Bell-LaPadula model's Simple Security Property (no read up).
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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