SSCP Security Exam Prep practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q11Which type of access control is ideal for an organization that requires strict enforcement of security policies and minimal user discretion over permissions?
✓ Correct answer: B. MAC
Answer: MAC Mandatory Access Control (MAC) centrally manages control over files, applications, directories, etc., and denies users the ability to manage access to their own assets. Discretionary Access Control (DAC) is the access control model built into most operating systems and allows the owner of an asset to manage privileges associated with it. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) assigns access and permissions based upon an entity's role within the organization, making it easier to implement least privilege and separation of duties. Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) assigns sets of attributes to each entity. Access control rules are implemented using Boolean logic that describes the combinations of attributes needed to access a resource or perform a particular action.
Q12Which of the following statements is NOT true about OAuth tokens?
✓ Correct answer: C. They are used to store passwords.
Answer: They are used to store passwords. OAuth tokens are used to grant access to resources without sharing credentials. They do not store passwords but rather act as a means to verify user identity and permissions.
Q13Which of the following is NOT a fundamental role of an Identity and Access Management (IAM) system?
✓ Correct answer: B. Monitoring bandwidth usage
Answer: Monitoring bandwidth usage Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems primarily focus on managing digital identities and determining access rights for individuals within an organization. The core roles of IAM include: IAM Role Description **Authentication** Verifying the identity of a user. **Authorization** Determining the access permissions a user has once authenticated. **Access provisioning** Assigning and managing user permissions effectively. Monitoring bandwidth usage is a function more relevant to network management and not a primary role of IAM systems.
Q14Which type of monitoring system is MOST effective at identifying insider threats based on anomalous user behavior?
✓ Correct answer: A. User Behavior Analytics (UBA)
User Behavior Analytics (UBA) involves tracking user behaviors and looking for deviations from the norm, which can help to detect potential insider threats. For example, unusual access patterns or data downloads could indicate malicious activities.
Q15Which access control model is MOST effective for a financial institution needing to comply with stringent regulatory requirements for transaction monitoring and auditing?
✓ Correct answer: A. MAC
Correct answer: MAC Mandatory Access Control (MAC) centrally manages control over assets and does not allow users to manage access permissions themselves. This ensures compliance with strict regulatory requirements by controlling all access rules centrally. Discretionary Access Control (DAC) allows owners of resources to manage permissions, which can lead to inconsistent enforcement of policies. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) grants permissions based on roles within the organization, which can improve the implementation of the least privilege but might not meet the high-security and audit requirements as effectively as MAC. Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) provides fine-grained access control through attributes but may be complex to manage and enforce regulatory compliance uniformly in highly sensitive environments.
Q16At what level of access control would requiring a multi-factor authentication (MFA) using both a password and a biometric scan fall under when providing remote access to a sensitive system?
✓ Correct answer: D. Level 2
The access control levels for remote access to sensitive systems are as follows: Access Control Level Description Level 1 Basic authentication such as a username and password. Level 2 Enhanced authentication including multi-factor authentication (e.g., password & biometric scan). Level 3 Strictest control involving physical tokens or smart cards in combination with other factors. Level 0 No access control implemented. Requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) using both a password and a biometric scan corresponds to Level 2. Level 2 access controls provide a higher assurance by validating the user's identity using multiple factors, thereby enhancing security.
Q17Which of the following access models restricts access modes based on defined policies and dynamically considers the current state of the system and related historical information?
✓ Correct answer: D. Brewer and Nash
Answer: Brewer and Nash The Brewer and Nash (Chinese Wall) access model dynamically considers a subject's current state and historical information to make access decisions, preventing conflicts of interest. The Clark-Wilson model focuses on ensuring that information is accessed by authorized users and in an authorized manner. The Gogun-Meseguer model defines security domains to prevent interference between groups, but it does not consider historical information. The Graham-Denning model is concerned with controlling the rights to create, delete, read, or write objects and subjects.
Q18SSL/TLS's trust model is BEST described as which of the following?
✓ Correct answer: D. Hierarchy of trust
Answer: Hierarchy of trust In a hierarchy of trust, an anchor node delegates its authority and trust to other nodes. PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) systems, including SSL/TLS, are designed as hierarchies of trust with the root CA (Certificate Authority) as the anchor node. A chain of trust exists between a root CA and a particular end entity. In a web of trust, no anchor nodes exist, and chains of trust are created via peer-to-peer relationships. The term 'network of trust' is a fabricated term.
Q19In the context of information security, which of the following terms is the MOST comprehensive?
✓ Correct answer: C. Information Assurance
Answer: Information Assurance Information Assurance is an umbrella term that encompasses the protection and defense of information and information systems by ensuring their availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and non-repudiation. Cybersecurity focuses on defending against cyber threats, while Information Security primarily deals with the protection of information assets. Therefore, Information Assurance is the most comprehensive.
Q20In the context of the CIA triad, which of the following principles ensures that data remains unaltered during storage or transit?
✓ Correct answer: D. Integrity
Answer: Integrity The CIA triad stands for: - Confidentiality: Limiting who has access to data - Integrity: Ensuring that data remains unaltered and is accurate during storage or transit. - Availability: Ensuring that data is available in a timely manner and usable format - Non-Repudiation: Preventing someone from denying that they took an action
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