This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of access controls. 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.
Which TWO of the following are characteristics of mandatory access control (MAC)?
The system enforces access decisions based on policies
MAC is system-enforced, not user-controlled.
Security labels are assigned to subjects and objects
MAC uses labels like Top Secret, Secret.
Access decisions are based on the user’s discretion
Why wrong: That describes DAC.
It is commonly used in commercial environments
Why wrong: MAC is more common in military/government.
Users can grant access to other users
Why wrong: That is DAC.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The system enforces access decisions based on policies
Mandatory access control (MAC) enforces access decisions based on centrally defined policies, not at the discretion of individual users. The system compares security labels assigned to subjects (e.g., users, processes) and objects (e.g., files, resources) to determine if access is allowed. This ensures that even the owner of an object cannot override the policy, which is a core characteristic of MAC.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The system enforces access decisions based on policies
Why this is correct
MAC is system-enforced, not user-controlled.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Security labels are assigned to subjects and objects
Why this is correct
MAC uses labels like Top Secret, Secret.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Access decisions are based on the user’s discretion
Why it's wrong here
That describes DAC.
It is commonly used in commercial environments
Why it's wrong here
MAC is more common in military/government.
Users can grant access to other users
Why it's wrong here
That is DAC.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse MAC with DAC, mistakenly thinking that MAC allows users to set permissions or that it is common in commercial environments, when in fact MAC is policy-driven and used in high-security contexts.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, MAC relies on security labels such as classification levels (e.g., Top Secret, Secret, Confidential) and categories (e.g., NATO, Nuclear) attached to subjects and objects. The system enforces the Bell-LaPadula model for confidentiality, which includes simple security (no read up) and the *-property (no write down). In real-world scenarios like SELinux, MAC policies are defined in a policy file and enforced by the Linux Security Module (LSM) framework, preventing even root users from bypassing the rules.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Access Controls — This question tests Access Controls — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The system enforces access decisions based on policies — Mandatory access control (MAC) enforces access decisions based on centrally defined policies, not at the discretion of individual users. The system compares security labels assigned to subjects (e.g., users, processes) and objects (e.g., files, resources) to determine if access is allowed. This ensures that even the owner of an object cannot override the policy, which is a core characteristic of MAC.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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