SSCP Access Controls Practice Question
Which access control model allows the owner of a resource to determine who can access it and what permissions they have?
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
✓
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Discretionary Access Control (DAC) gives resource owners discretion to grant or deny access to others.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why it's wrong here
MAC assigns access via system-wide labels and clearances set by a central authority, not by the resource owner, so it fails the owner-discretion requirement. It is tempting because MAC is genuinely used where classification labels must override individual owners, such as government or military systems handling classified data.
- ✓
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Why this is correct
DAC grants the resource owner discretion over access decisions, so they assign permissions directly to other subjects. This owner-controlled permission assignment is precisely the mechanism the stem requires, distinguishing DAC from mandatory and role-based models where policy or roles dictate access.
- ✗
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Why it's wrong here
ABAC evaluates policies against attributes of subject, object and environment, so permission derives from policy rules rather than the owner's discretion. It is tempting because ABAC is genuinely used where fine-grained, context-aware decisions are needed, such as limiting access by time, location or device posture.
- ✗
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
RBAC grants permissions through roles assigned to users, so the resource owner does not decide individual access. It is tempting because RBAC is genuinely used where job functions map cleanly to stable permission sets, such as a hospital where all nurses need identical record access.
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 |
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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