- A
Implement a two-person rule for administrative actions.
Why wrong: Two-person rule is for accountability, not preventing credential sharing.
- B
Enforce a stricter password complexity policy.
Why wrong: Complexity does not address sharing.
- C
Require multifactor authentication for all systems.
Why wrong: MFA reduces risk but sharing still possible.
- D
Deploy a privileged access management (PAM) solution.
PAM allows temporary access without sharing credentials.
Question 413 of 1,000
hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Prevent Password Sharing with PAM
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of sscp exam topics. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
During a security audit, it is discovered that a system administrator shared their personal credentials with a colleague to troubleshoot an issue after hours. This violates the company's policy regarding password sharing. Which control would BEST prevent this type of incident in the future?
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
✓
Deploy a privileged access management (PAM) solution.
Option D is correct because a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution provides temporary, audited access without sharing permanent credentials. Option A is incorrect because a two-person rule is for dual control, not sharing prevention. Option B is incorrect because password complexity does not deter sharing. Option C is incorrect because while MFA adds a layer, it does not prevent sharing of the first factor.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Implement a two-person rule for administrative actions.
Why it's wrong here
Two-person rule is for accountability, not preventing credential sharing.
- ✗
Enforce a stricter password complexity policy.
Why it's wrong here
Complexity does not address sharing.
- ✗
Require multifactor authentication for all systems.
Why it's wrong here
MFA reduces risk but sharing still possible.
- ✓
Deploy a privileged access management (PAM) solution.
Why this is correct
PAM allows temporary access without sharing credentials.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SSCP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Deploy a privileged access management (PAM) solution. — Option D is correct because a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution provides temporary, audited access without sharing permanent credentials. Option A is incorrect because a two-person rule is for dual control, not sharing prevention. Option B is incorrect because password complexity does not deter sharing. Option C is incorrect because while MFA adds a layer, it does not prevent sharing of the first factor.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SSCP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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