easyMultiple Choice
SSCP Practice Question: Which access control model is best suited for a…
Which access control model is best suited for a military environment where data classification (Unclassified, Confidential, Secret, Top Secret) and subject clearance levels are the primary factors for access decisions?
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
✓
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Mandatory Access Control (MAC) enforces access based on labels (classification and clearance) and is used in military and government settings. Option B is correct. Option A (ABAC) is attribute-based and not the traditional model for military-grade security. Option C (DAC) allows owners to set permissions, which is unsuitable for classified environments. Option D (RBAC) uses roles, not classification levels.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
Why it's wrong here
ABAC evaluates arbitrary attributes via policies, so clearance and classification labels could be expressed, but the stem demands a lattice where dominance between clearance and classification alone decides access. ABAC is tempting because it subsumes label checks, yet it does not enforce the mandatory dominance relation that defines MAC.
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Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
Why this is correct
MAC assigns subjects clearance levels and objects classification labels, with access determined solely by those labels rather than owner discretion. This mandatory, hierarchical comparison directly matches the military requirement where clearance and data classification are the primary access factors.
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Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Why it's wrong here
DAC lets resource owners set permissions at their discretion, so a user could grant access to classified data regardless of clearance, breaching the mandatory control the scenario requires. It is tempting because it is the default file-permission model on most systems, and would suit environments where owner discretion, not classification labels, governs access.
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Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why it's wrong here
RBAC grants access through job-function roles, so a cleared subject in the wrong role is denied and an uncleared subject in a privileged role could be granted access, ignoring clearance and classification entirely. It is tempting because roles scale well in enterprises, and would be correct where organisational duties, not data labels, drive 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
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.