200-201 Security Policies and Procedures Practice Question
A security administrator is configuring a firewall rule set to control traffic between the corporate network and the internet. The policy states that only web browsing (HTTP and HTTPS) should be allowed outbound, and all other outbound traffic should be denied. Which type of security control is this an example of?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse logging or alerting features of a firewall with its primary function, which in this scenario is to block traffic, making it preventive.
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
✓
Preventive control
The firewall rule set is a preventive control because it enforces the policy by blocking all outbound traffic except HTTP and HTTPS before it can leave the network. Preventive controls are proactive measures that stop unwanted actions. Detective controls identify events, corrective controls remediate after incidents, and compensating controls are alternatives when primary controls are not feasible.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Preventive control
Why this is correct
A preventive control is designed to stop unwanted actions or events before they occur. By explicitly allowing only HTTP and HTTPS outbound and denying all other traffic, the firewall rule set prevents unauthorized outbound connections. This aligns with the definition of a preventive control, as it blocks potentially malicious or non-compliant traffic from leaving the network.
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Detective control
Why it's wrong here
A detective control is intended to identify and record events after they happen, such as logging or intrusion detection. While a firewall may log denied traffic, the primary purpose of this rule set is to block traffic, not just detect it. The scenario describes an active enforcement mechanism that prevents traffic, so it is not merely detective in nature.
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Compensating control
Why it's wrong here
A compensating control is an alternative measure used when a primary control cannot be implemented, often to satisfy a requirement in a different way. Here, the firewall rule set is the primary control enforcing the outbound traffic policy, not a substitute for another control. Therefore, it does not fit the definition of a compensating control.
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Corrective control
Why it's wrong here
A corrective control is used to restore systems or data after an incident has occurred, such as backups or patch management. The firewall rule set is applied before any traffic passes, aiming to stop unwanted communication outright. It does not correct or remediate after the fact, so it is not a corrective control.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 200-201 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 200-201 exam.