- A
Confidentiality: Who can access the data?
This is correct because a firewall is a network security device that filters incoming and outgoing traffic based on a set of predefined rules, allowing or blocking traffic accordingly.
- B
Integrity: Has the data been altered without authorization?
This is incorrect because the question asks for the term that matches 'filters traffic based on rules', not 'monitors and alerts'. The device that monitors and sends alerts is an Intrusion Detection System (IDS), not a firewall.
- C
Availability: Is the system accessible when needed?
This is incorrect because the question asks for the term that matches 'filters traffic based on rules', not 'secures tunnels'. The device that secures tunnels is a VPN concentrator or VPN gateway.
- D
Authentication: Are you who you claim to be?
This is incorrect because the question asks for the term that matches 'filters traffic based on rules', not 'hosts public services'. The term that hosts public services is a DMZ (demilitarized zone), which is a network segment, not a device.
Quick Answer
The answer is Confidentiality, which most directly answers the question "Who can access the data?" This is correct because the CIA triad defines Confidentiality as the principle of ensuring that data is only accessible to authorized users, preventing unauthorized disclosure or access. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, you must distinguish Confidentiality from Integrity (which protects data from unauthorized modification) and Availability (which ensures systems are accessible when needed). A common trap is confusing Confidentiality with Authentication—remember that Authentication answers "Who are you?" as part of the AAA framework, while Confidentiality focuses on access permissions. For the exam, pair each CIA term with its core question: Confidentiality = access, Integrity = trustworthiness, Availability = uptime. A useful memory tip is to think of a locked safe: Confidentiality is the lock (who can open it), Integrity is the contents staying unchanged, and Availability is the safe being reachable.
CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. 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. A key principle to apply: authentication verifies the identity of a user or device by answering the question 'Who are you?' before granting access to network resources.. 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.
Match each security term to the question it most directly answers.
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
Confidentiality: Who can access the data?
Each security term is paired with the question it most directly answers. Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting form the AAA framework: Authentication verifies identity (Who are you?), Authorization determines permissions (What are you allowed to do?), and Accounting tracks user activity (What happened during the session?). Availability is part of the CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) and addresses whether a system or service is accessible when needed (Can the system or service be accessed when needed?).
Key principle: Authentication verifies the identity of a user or device by answering the question 'Who are you?' before granting access to network resources.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Confidentiality: Who can access the data?
Why this is correct
This is correct because a firewall is a network security device that filters incoming and outgoing traffic based on a set of predefined rules, allowing or blocking traffic accordingly.
Related concept
Authentication verifies the identity of a user or device by answering the question 'Who are you?' before granting access to network resources.
- ✓
Integrity: Has the data been altered without authorization?
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because the question asks for the term that matches 'filters traffic based on rules', not 'monitors and alerts'. The device that monitors and sends alerts is an Intrusion Detection System (IDS), not a firewall.
Related concept
Authentication verifies the identity of a user or device by answering the question 'Who are you?' before granting access to network resources.
- ✓
Availability: Is the system accessible when needed?
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because the question asks for the term that matches 'filters traffic based on rules', not 'secures tunnels'. The device that secures tunnels is a VPN concentrator or VPN gateway.
Related concept
Authentication verifies the identity of a user or device by answering the question 'Who are you?' before granting access to network resources.
- ✓
Authentication: Are you who you claim to be?
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because the question asks for the term that matches 'filters traffic based on rules', not 'hosts public services'. The term that hosts public services is a DMZ (demilitarized zone), which is a network segment, not a device.
Related concept
Authentication verifies the identity of a user or device by answering the question 'Who are you?' before granting access to network resources.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Learners may confuse Authorization with Authentication. Remember: Authentication confirms identity, while Authorization defines permissions after identity is verified.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Authentication is the foundational security process that confirms the identity of users or devices attempting to access a network. In Cisco environments, protocols like RADIUS and TACACS+ are commonly used to authenticate users by validating credentials such as usernames and passwords. This step answers the critical question 'Who are you?' and prevents unauthorized entities from gaining initial access. Authorization follows authentication and defines what authenticated users or devices are permitted to do on the network. This includes access to specific resources, commands, or services. Cisco devices enforce authorization policies to restrict or allow actions based on user roles or profiles, effectively answering 'What are you allowed to do?'. This separation ensures that even authenticated users cannot exceed their privileges. Accounting complements authentication and authorization by logging user activities and resource usage, answering 'What happened?'. This data is vital for auditing, troubleshooting, and detecting security incidents. Cisco AAA servers collect accounting records that detail session times, commands executed, and data transferred. A common exam trap is confusing these terms or assuming they overlap; understanding their distinct roles helps in configuring secure and compliant Cisco networks.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication verifies the identity of a user or device by answering the question 'Who are you?' before granting access to network resources.
- Authorization determines the permissions and access levels a verified user or device has by answering 'What are you allowed to do?' within the network.
- Accounting tracks and records user or device activities on the network by answering 'What happened?' for auditing and compliance purposes.
- Availability ensures that network services and systems are accessible and operational when needed, answering 'Can the system or service be accessed?' reliably.
- Cisco security implementations separate authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) to provide layered access control and detailed activity logging.
- Confusing authentication with authorization is a common exam trap because both relate to access control but serve distinct roles in security models.
- Availability is a key security principle that focuses on uptime and resilience, often supported by redundancy and failover mechanisms in Cisco networks.
- Accounting data helps network administrators detect security breaches and policy violations by providing detailed logs of user actions and resource usage.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Authentication verifies the identity of a user or device by answering the question 'Who are you?' before granting access to network resources.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review authentication verifies the identity of a user or device by answering the question 'Who are you?' before granting access to network resources., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Network Services and Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — Authentication verifies the identity of a user or device by answering the question 'Who are you?' before granting access to network resources..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Confidentiality: Who can access the data? — Each security term is paired with the question it most directly answers. Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting form the AAA framework: Authentication verifies identity (Who are you?), Authorization determines permissions (What are you allowed to do?), and Accounting tracks user activity (What happened during the session?). Availability is part of the CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) and addresses whether a system or service is accessible when needed (Can the system or service be accessed when needed?).
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review authentication verifies the identity of a user or device by answering the question 'Who are you?' before granting access to network resources., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication verifies the identity of a user or device by answering the question 'Who are you?' before granting access to network resources.
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Last reviewed: Apr 12, 2026
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.
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