SACA 201 SILVER EXAM Actual
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[Section 1: Security Fundamentals & Core Principles]
Q1: You are reviewing your company's security guidelines and see references to "protecting the
confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information." Which security concept does this
describe?
A. Zero Trust Architecture
B. The CIA Triad [CORRECT]
C. Defense in Depth
D. Risk Management Framework
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) is the foundational model for
information security. Confidentiality ensures data is accessible only to authorized users, integrity
ensures data is accurate and unaltered, and availability ensures systems and data are accessible
when needed. Option A (Zero Trust) is a security architecture requiring verification for every
access request. Option C (Defense in Depth) involves multiple layers of security controls. Option
D refers to structured processes for managing risk, not the core principles themselves.
Understanding the CIA Triad helps employees recognize why specific security controls exist—
such as encryption for confidentiality or backups for availability.
Q2: Which authentication factor category includes fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans?
A. Something you know
B. Something you have
C. Something you are [CORRECT]
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D. Somewhere you are
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Biometric identifiers like fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans fall under
"something you are"—inherent physical characteristics. Option A (something you know)
includes passwords and PINs. Option B (something you have) includes security tokens or
smartphones. Option D (somewhere you are) refers to location-based authentication. Multi-factor
authentication (MFA) combines categories for stronger security; using biometrics plus a
password provides two different factor types, significantly reducing unauthorized access risk
compared to single-factor authentication.
Q3: Your manager explains that employees should only access the minimum information
necessary to perform their job functions. This principle is known as:
A. Separation of Duties
B. Least Privilege [CORRECT]
C. Need to Know
D. Dual Control
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Least privilege restricts user access rights to the minimum necessary to complete job
functions, limiting potential damage from compromised accounts or insider threats. While
related, Option C (Need to Know) specifically restricts access to sensitive information based on
necessity for specific tasks, often used with classified data. Option A (Separation of Duties)
prevents fraud by dividing tasks among multiple people. Option D (Dual Control) requires two
authorized people to perform sensitive actions. Least privilege reduces the attack surface—if an
account is compromised, the attacker gains limited access rather than unrestricted system entry.
Q4: Which of the following best demonstrates the principle of "Need to Know"?
A. An IT administrator has full access to all company servers
B. A payroll clerk can view all employee salary records, including those outside their department
C. A project team member can access only documents specific to their assigned project
[CORRECT]
D. A manager shares their login credentials with their assistant to "help with the workload"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Need to Know restricts access to sensitive information to only those individuals who
require it for specific, authorized tasks. Option C correctly applies this principle by limiting
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document access to project-specific materials. Option A violates least privilege, Option B
violates both least privilege and need-to-know by allowing unnecessary access to other
departments' data, and Option D violates fundamental authentication policies by sharing
credentials. Need to Know is critical for protecting trade secrets, personal data, and proprietary
information—access should be granted deliberately and reviewed regularly as roles change.
Q5: In a Zero Trust security model, which statement accurately describes the approach to
network access?
A. Internal network traffic is trusted after initial authentication
B. "Never trust, always verify" applies to every access request [CORRECT]
C. VPN connections are exempt from additional verification
D. Perimeter firewalls provide sufficient protection for internal users
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Zero Trust operates on "never trust, always verify," requiring continuous
authentication and authorization for every access request regardless of location or network.
Option A describes traditional perimeter-based security, which Zero Trust replaces. Option C
contradicts Zero Trust principles—VPNs don't eliminate verification needs. Option D reflects
outdated perimeter security thinking. For end users, Zero Trust means frequent re-authentication,
MFA prompts, and device health checks, ensuring that compromised credentials or devices don't
automatically grant system access.
Q6: Which of the following are components of the CIA Triad? (Select all that apply)
A. Authentication
B. Confidentiality [CORRECT]
C. Integrity [CORRECT]
D. Availability [CORRECT]
E. Authorization
F. Non-repudiation
Correct Answers: B, C, D
Rationale: The CIA Triad consists of Confidentiality (preventing unauthorized data disclosure),
Integrity (maintaining data accuracy and consistency), and Availability (ensuring timely, reliable
access). Options A, E, and F are important security concepts but not part of the core triad.
Authentication verifies identity, authorization grants permissions, and non-repudiation prevents
denial of actions. Understanding these three pillars helps employees prioritize security