Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Mastering Your Certification!

The main focus of the Reference Monitor Concept is to mediate access to objects by subjects. This concept serves as a critical security mechanism within operating systems and security architectures, ensuring that any access to system resources (such as files, devices, or processes) is properly enforced according to the security policies in place. The Reference Monitor acts as a gatekeeper, verifying that only authorized subjects (such as users or processes) can access specific objects (such as data or system services) while enforcing the defined access control policies.

This mediation function ensures that all access requests are checked against the security rules before allowing or denying access. It embodies the principles of least privilege and separation of duties, which are foundational to effective security practices. By centralizing this control, the Reference Monitor helps to mitigate risks associated with unauthorized access and potential security breaches in an information system.

The other options do not align with the core principle of the Reference Monitor. Facilitating user-friendly interfaces pertains to usability rather than security. Managing database access is a specific application of access control but does not encompass the broader principle of mediation covered by the Reference Monitor. Monitoring network traffic, while important for security, relates more to intrusion detection and prevention rather than the fundamental concept of access mediation.