The answer is encrypting data at rest and in transit, combined with storing data only in approved geographical locations. These two measures directly enforce GDPR data residency controls by ensuring that sensitive data remains both protected from unauthorized access and physically confined to jurisdictions that meet the regulation’s legal standards. Encryption renders data unreadable during storage and transmission, while geo-restriction prevents data from leaving compliant regions, addressing the core residency requirement that data must not be transferred outside approved boundaries. On the CompTIA SecurityX CAS-004 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between preventive controls (encryption, geo-fencing) and non-residency-specific measures like data classification or DLP, which are detective rather than direct. A common trap is choosing single-region deployment for availability or DLP for detection, but neither satisfies the residency mandate. Memory tip: “Lock it up, lock it down” — encrypt the data and lock it in the right region.
CAS-004 Security Architecture Practice Question
This CAS-004 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. 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.
A security architect is designing a cloud-native application that must comply with GDPR data residency requirements. Which TWO of the following measures should the architect implement? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Store data only in approved geographical locations
Encrypting data at rest and in transit (C) and storing data only in approved geographical locations (E) are direct controls for GDPR data residency. DLP (A) is detective, single-region deployment (B) may affect availability, and data classification (D) is not specific to residency.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Deploy the application in a single region to simplify compliance
Why it's wrong here
Single region may violate availability requirements and is not required by GDPR.
✓
Store data only in approved geographical locations
Why this is correct
Ensuring data is stored only in approved regions directly enforces data residency.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use data loss prevention (DLP) policies to monitor data transfers
Why it's wrong here
DLP is detective, not preventive for residency.
✓
Encrypt data at rest and in transit
Why this is correct
Encryption protects data regardless of location, helping meet security requirements.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Implement data classification and labeling
Why it's wrong here
Classification helps identify data but does not enforce residency.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CAS-004 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Security Architecture — This question tests Security Architecture — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Store data only in approved geographical locations — Encrypting data at rest and in transit (C) and storing data only in approved geographical locations (E) are direct controls for GDPR data residency. DLP (A) is detective, single-region deployment (B) may affect availability, and data classification (D) is not specific to residency.
What should I do if I get this CAS-004 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CAS-004 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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