Quick Answer
The answer is encryption and firewall, as both are textbook examples of technical security controls. A firewall enforces access policies by inspecting network traffic based on rules like permit or deny for IP addresses, ports, and protocols, while encryption transforms plaintext into ciphertext using algorithms such as AES-256 or RSA to ensure confidentiality during storage or transmission. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish technical controls from administrative policies or physical barriers like locks and guards—a common trap is confusing a security policy document (administrative) with a firewall rule set (technical). Remember the mnemonic “TECH” for Technical controls: Tools, Encryption, Code, and Hardware—firewalls and encryption both fit here because they are implemented through technology, not human procedures or physical devices.
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.
Which TWO are examples of technical security controls? (Select two.)
Firewall
Firewalls are technical controls that filter network traffic.
Security policy
Why wrong: Security policies are administrative, not technical.
Security awareness training
Why wrong: Training is an administrative control.
Background checks
Why wrong: Background checks are administrative or personnel controls.
Encryption
Encryption is a technical control that protects data confidentiality.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Firewall
A firewall is a technical security control because it is a hardware or software device that enforces access policies by inspecting network traffic based on rules (e.g., permit/deny IP addresses, ports, protocols). Encryption is a technical control that transforms plaintext data into ciphertext using algorithms like AES-256 or RSA, ensuring confidentiality during storage or transmission. Both are implemented through technology rather than administrative or physical means.
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.
Firewall
Why this is correct
Firewalls are technical controls that filter network traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Security policy
Why it's wrong here
Security policies are administrative, not technical.
Security awareness training
Why it's wrong here
Training is an administrative control.
Background checks
Why it's wrong here
Background checks are administrative or personnel controls.
Encryption
Why this is correct
Encryption is a technical control that protects data confidentiality.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between administrative, physical, and technical controls, and the trap here is that candidates confuse a security policy (a document) or training (a human process) with a technical control, because they are all part of a defense-in-depth strategy.
Detailed technical explanation
Technical controls like firewalls operate at Layers 3 and 4 (and sometimes Layer 7) of the OSI model, using stateful inspection or application-layer filtering (e.g., Cisco ASA or NGFW). Encryption relies on cryptographic keys and algorithms such as AES-256-GCM for symmetric encryption or TLS 1.3 for secure communications; without proper key management (e.g., using HSM or PKI), even strong encryption can be compromised. In a real-world scenario, a misconfigured firewall rule (e.g., allowing all outbound traffic) can bypass encryption protections, showing how these controls must work together.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
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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: Firewall — A firewall is a technical security control because it is a hardware or software device that enforces access policies by inspecting network traffic based on rules (e.g., permit/deny IP addresses, ports, protocols). Encryption is a technical control that transforms plaintext data into ciphertext using algorithms like AES-256 or RSA, ensuring confidentiality during storage or transmission. Both are implemented through technology rather than administrative or physical means.
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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