CAS-004 Security Architecture Practice Question
A security architect is designing a zero trust architecture for a financial services company. Which component is MOST critical to enforce identity-centric access control in a zero trust model?
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
✓
Software-defined perimeter
In zero trust, every access request is authenticated, authorized, and encrypted. A software-defined perimeter (SDP) provides identity-centric, micro-segmented access that hides network resources and enforces least privilege.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Network firewall
Why it's wrong here
Firewalls are perimeter-based, not identity-centric.
- ✗
Intrusion prevention system
Why it's wrong here
IPS detects threats but does not enforce identity-centric access.
- ✓
Software-defined perimeter
Why this is correct
SDP creates identity-based, micro-segmented access.
- ✗
VPN concentrator
Why it's wrong here
VPNs provide network-level access, not identity-centric granularity.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.