- A
Constraints
Why wrong: Constraints (e.g., separation of duties) are part of constrained RBAC but not required for core RBAC.
- B
Users
Users are the subjects that are assigned to roles.
- C
Permissions
Permissions define the access rights associated with roles.
- D
Sessions
Why wrong: Sessions are part of session-based RBAC but not required for core RBAC.
- E
Roles
Roles are a fundamental component of RBAC; permissions are assigned to roles.
Question 647 of 1,000
hardMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: Which THREE are required components of a core…
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of sscp exam topics. 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.
Which THREE are required components of a core role-based access control (RBAC) system according to NIST? (Choose three.)
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
✓
Users
Option B (Users) is correct because in NIST's RBAC model (INCITS 359-2012), users are the human actors who are assigned to roles. The core components of RBAC are users, roles, and permissions; users are the subjects that ultimately receive permissions through their role membership. Without users, there is no entity to which roles and permissions can be assigned.
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.
- ✗
Constraints
Why it's wrong here
Constraints (e.g., separation of duties) are part of constrained RBAC but not required for core RBAC.
- ✓
Users
Why this is correct
Users are the subjects that are assigned to roles.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Permissions
Why this is correct
Permissions define the access rights associated with roles.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Sessions
Why it's wrong here
Sessions are part of session-based RBAC but not required for core RBAC.
- ✓
Roles
Why this is correct
Roles are a fundamental component of RBAC; permissions are assigned to roles.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between core and advanced RBAC components, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly include constraints or sessions as mandatory because they are commonly discussed in security policies, but NIST explicitly defines them as optional extensions to the core model.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NIST RBAC defines three levels: Core RBAC (Level 1) requires only users, roles, and permissions with user-role and permission-role assignments. Hierarchical RBAC (Level 2) adds role hierarchies and sessions, while Constrained RBAC (Level 3) adds separation of duty constraints. In practice, many enterprise implementations (e.g., Microsoft Active Directory, Oracle RBAC) use sessions to limit privilege escalation by allowing users to activate only specific roles during a login session, but this is not mandatory for a basic RBAC system.
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: Users — Option B (Users) is correct because in NIST's RBAC model (INCITS 359-2012), users are the human actors who are assigned to roles. The core components of RBAC are users, roles, and permissions; users are the subjects that ultimately receive permissions through their role membership. Without users, there is no entity to which roles and permissions can be assigned.
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
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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