Quick Answer
The answer is technical, because a firewall is a hardware or software system that enforces security policies through automated technological mechanisms like packet filtering and stateful inspection. This places it squarely in the technical category of security controls, which rely on technology to protect data and systems, as opposed to administrative controls (policies, training) or physical controls (locks, guards). On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this distinction tests your ability to classify controls by their implementation method—a common trap is confusing a firewall’s configuration policy (an administrative document) with the control itself. Remember the memory tip: if it runs on a device or software, it’s technical; if it’s a rule or procedure, it’s administrative; if it’s a tangible barrier, it’s physical. Understanding these types of security controls is foundational for analyzing defense-in-depth architectures on the exam.
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
An organization deploys a firewall to block unauthorized traffic. This is an example of which type of security control?
Detective
Why wrong: Detective controls identify incidents, but firewalls are preventive.
Physical
Why wrong: Physical controls protect physical assets, not network traffic.
Technical
Firewalls are technical controls that prevent unauthorized access.
Administrative
Why wrong: Administrative controls are policies and procedures, not devices.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Technical
A firewall is a technical control because it uses software or hardware mechanisms—such as packet filtering, stateful inspection, or application-layer filtering—to enforce security policies and block unauthorized traffic. Technical controls are implemented through technology systems (e.g., routers, firewalls, IDS/IPS) rather than through physical barriers or administrative procedures.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Detective
Why it's wrong here
Detective controls identify incidents, but firewalls are preventive.
Physical
Why it's wrong here
Physical controls protect physical assets, not network traffic.
Technical
Why this is correct
Firewalls are technical controls that prevent unauthorized access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Administrative
Why it's wrong here
Administrative controls are policies and procedures, not devices.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between preventive and detective controls, and the trap here is that candidates may confuse a firewall's logging capability (detective) with its primary function of blocking traffic (preventive/technical).
Detailed technical explanation
Firewalls operate by inspecting packet headers and payloads against a rulebase; for example, a stateful firewall tracks TCP connection states (SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK) using a state table to allow only established connections. In a real-world scenario, a next-generation firewall (NGFW) can also perform deep packet inspection (DPI) to block application-layer threats like SQL injection, going beyond simple port/protocol filtering.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 200-201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Technical — A firewall is a technical control because it uses software or hardware mechanisms—such as packet filtering, stateful inspection, or application-layer filtering—to enforce security policies and block unauthorized traffic. Technical controls are implemented through technology systems (e.g., routers, firewalls, IDS/IPS) rather than through physical barriers or administrative procedures.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
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