CAS-004 Security Architecture Practice Question
A company is deploying a SASE architecture. Which component is responsible for securing web traffic and enforcing acceptable use policies at the edge?
⚠ Common exam trap
CAS-005 often tests the blurry boundary between SWG, CASB, and ZTNA — candidates pick CASB for 'cloud app control' or ZTNA for 'edge security' when the question specifically describes web traffic filtering and acceptable use, which is SWG's domain.
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
✓
Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
A Secure Web Gateway (SWG) sits at the network edge and inspects outbound web traffic, enforcing URL filtering, malware blocking, and acceptable use policies — exactly the function described. In a SASE architecture, SWG is the component that governs user web access regardless of location, applying policy based on categories, reputation, and content inspection. It is distinct from ZTNA (which controls application access), CASB (which governs cloud service usage), and SD-WAN (which optimizes WAN transport).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
Why it's wrong here
ZTNA brokers identity-based access to private applications, not outbound web traffic; it cannot inspect URLs or enforce acceptable use. Secure web gateway is the component that filters web requests and applies acceptable use policy. ZTNA is correct when replacing VPN access to internal apps.
- ✓
Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
Why this is correct
Secure Web Gateway sits at the edge and inspects outbound web traffic, enforcing acceptable use policies, URL filtering and threat protection. It satisfies the stem's requirement to secure web traffic and apply acceptable use controls within the SASE architecture.
- ✗
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
Why it's wrong here
CASB brokers access to cloud applications and enforces data policies between users and SaaS, not web filtering or acceptable-use enforcement. It is tempting because CASB sits at the SASE security edge, but inline URL categorisation and web content inspection belong to the secure web gateway.
- ✗
SD-WAN
Why it's wrong here
SD-WAN optimises and routes WAN traffic across links; it applies no URL filtering, malware inspection or acceptable-use policy. It is tempting because SD-WAN is a core SASE networking component, but web security enforcement requires the secure web gateway.
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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 CompTIA exam blueprint
This CAS-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CAS-005 exam.