- A
Network ACLs evaluate rules before security groups.
Why wrong: Network ACLs evaluate at subnet level before security groups, but this statement is about order, not security group statefulness.
- B
Security groups can be used to deny traffic from specific IP addresses.
Why wrong: Security groups cannot deny; they only allow.
- C
Security groups are stateless.
Why wrong: Security groups are stateful, not stateless.
- D
Network ACLs are stateless and require explicit allow rules for both inbound and outbound traffic.
Stateless means each direction must be explicitly allowed.
- E
Security groups support allow rules only.
Security groups only allow; they do not have deny rules.
Question 564 of 997
CV0-004 Security Practice Question
This CV0-004 practice question tests your understanding of security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 cloud administrator is configuring network security for a multi-tier application. Which TWO statements about security groups and network ACLs are correct?
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
✓
Network ACLs are stateless and require explicit allow rules for both inbound and outbound traffic.
Option D is correct because network ACLs are stateless, meaning they do not automatically allow return traffic; you must explicitly define allow rules for both inbound and outbound traffic. Option E is correct because security groups are stateful and support only allow rules; you cannot create a deny rule within a security group, and any traffic not explicitly allowed is implicitly denied.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 ACLs evaluate rules before security groups.
Why it's wrong here
Network ACLs evaluate at subnet level before security groups, but this statement is about order, not security group statefulness.
- ✗
Security groups can be used to deny traffic from specific IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups cannot deny; they only allow.
- ✗
Security groups are stateless.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups are stateful, not stateless.
- ✓
Network ACLs are stateless and require explicit allow rules for both inbound and outbound traffic.
Why this is correct
Stateless means each direction must be explicitly allowed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Security groups support allow rules only.
Why this is correct
Security groups only allow; they do not have deny rules.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing stateful security groups with stateless network ACLs, leading candidates to incorrectly think security groups can deny specific IPs or that network ACLs are evaluated first, when in fact security groups are evaluated at the instance level before network ACLs at the subnet boundary.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Security groups operate at the instance level (ENI) and maintain state by tracking connection flows using a connection tracking table; this allows return traffic without explicit outbound rules. Network ACLs operate at the subnet level and are evaluated in rule-number order (lowest to highest), requiring separate inbound and outbound rules for each direction, which is critical for multi-tier applications where subnets must enforce strict traffic flows between tiers (e.g., web to app to database).
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CV0-004 question test?
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Network ACLs are stateless and require explicit allow rules for both inbound and outbound traffic. — Option D is correct because network ACLs are stateless, meaning they do not automatically allow return traffic; you must explicitly define allow rules for both inbound and outbound traffic. Option E is correct because security groups are stateful and support only allow rules; you cannot create a deny rule within a security group, and any traffic not explicitly allowed is implicitly denied.
What should I do if I get this CV0-004 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CV0-004 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 CV0-004 exam.
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