- A
Security groups that allow traffic from specific security groups for the database tier.
Database security groups should allow inbound traffic from the application security group.
- B
AWS WAF to filter traffic to the database tier.
Why wrong: WAF is for web application traffic, not for database tier protection.
- C
IAM policies to restrict access to the database.
Why wrong: IAM policies control who can manage resources, not network traffic.
- D
Network ACLs to provide stateless filtering at the subnet level.
Network ACLs can be used as an additional layer of defense at the subnet boundary.
- E
Security groups that reference other security groups as sources.
Security groups can allow inbound traffic from another security group, enabling tier-to-tier access.
Question 1,234 of 1,705
ANS-C01 Network Security, Compliance and Governance Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network security, compliance and governance. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 security engineer is designing a network security solution for a multi-tier application. The web tier must be accessible from the internet on ports 80 and 443. The application tier must only accept traffic from the web tier. The database tier must only accept traffic from the application tier on port 3306. Which THREE network access control mechanisms should be used?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Security groups that allow traffic from specific security groups for the database tier.
Options A, D, and E are correct network access control mechanisms. Option A is correct because security groups can allow traffic based on source security group IDs, enabling tier-specific access. Option D is correct because network ACLs provide stateless filtering at the subnet level, adding a layer of defense. Option E is correct because security groups can reference other security groups as sources, allowing the database tier to accept traffic only from the application tier security group. Option B is incorrect because AWS WAF is a web application firewall that filters HTTP/HTTPS traffic at the application layer, not suitable for database tier access control. Option C is incorrect because IAM policies manage user and resource permissions, not network-level traffic filtering.
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.
- ✓
Security groups that allow traffic from specific security groups for the database tier.
Why this is correct
Database security groups should allow inbound traffic from the application security group.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
AWS WAF to filter traffic to the database tier.
Why it's wrong here
WAF is for web application traffic, not for database tier protection.
- ✗
IAM policies to restrict access to the database.
Why it's wrong here
IAM policies control who can manage resources, not network traffic.
- ✓
Network ACLs to provide stateless filtering at the subnet level.
Why this is correct
Network ACLs can be used as an additional layer of defense at the subnet boundary.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✓
Security groups that reference other security groups as sources.
Why this is correct
Security groups can allow inbound traffic from another security group, enabling tier-to-tier access.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Visual reference
Quick reference
OSI Model Reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ANS-C01 question test?
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: Security groups that allow traffic from specific security groups for the database tier. — Options A, D, and E are correct network access control mechanisms. Option A is correct because security groups can allow traffic based on source security group IDs, enabling tier-specific access. Option D is correct because network ACLs provide stateless filtering at the subnet level, adding a layer of defense. Option E is correct because security groups can reference other security groups as sources, allowing the database tier to accept traffic only from the application tier security group. Option B is incorrect because AWS WAF is a web application firewall that filters HTTP/HTTPS traffic at the application layer, not suitable for database tier access control. Option C is incorrect because IAM policies manage user and resource permissions, not network-level traffic filtering.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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