ANS-C01 Network Security, Compliance and Governance Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network security, compliance and governance. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
A company has a VPC with public and private subnets. The public subnet hosts a web server that must be accessible from the internet. The private subnet hosts a database that should only be accessible from the web server. Which security group configuration should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Database security group: inbound rule allowing traffic from the web server security group on the database port
Security groups can reference other security groups as sources. Option A is correct because it allows traffic from the web server's security group. Option B is wrong because it allows all traffic from the VPC CIDR, which is too permissive. Option C is wrong because it allows all inbound traffic. Option D is wrong because it allows traffic from the web server but not specifically via its security group.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Database security group: inbound rule allowing traffic from the web server security group on the database port
Why this is correct
This ensures only the web server can reach the database.
Database security group: inbound rule allowing traffic from the VPC CIDR on the database port
Why it's wrong here
Allows any resource in the VPC, including potential compromised instances.
✗
Database security group: inbound rule allowing traffic from the web server's private IP on the database port
Why it's wrong here
If the web server is replaced or scaled, IP changes; referencing security group is better.
✗
Database security group: inbound rule allowing traffic from 0.0.0.0/0 on the database port
Why it's wrong here
Exposes database to the internet.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ANS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Network Security, Compliance and Governance — This question tests Network Security, Compliance and Governance — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Database security group: inbound rule allowing traffic from the web server security group on the database port — Security groups can reference other security groups as sources. Option A is correct because it allows traffic from the web server's security group. Option B is wrong because it allows all traffic from the VPC CIDR, which is too permissive. Option C is wrong because it allows all inbound traffic. Option D is wrong because it allows traffic from the web server but not specifically via its security group.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ANS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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