CV0-004 Security Practice Question
A company is using a SaaS application and wants to gain visibility into user activity and enforce data loss prevention policies. Which technology should be deployed?
⚠ Common exam trap
CV0-004 often tests the confusion between network security tools (IDS, WAF, NAC) and cloud-specific security controls (CASB), so candidates must recognize that only CASB provides SaaS visibility and DLP.
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
✓
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
A Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) is a security policy enforcement point placed between cloud service consumers and cloud service providers to combine and interject enterprise security policies as cloud-based resources are accessed. It provides visibility into user activity, enforces data loss prevention (DLP) policies, and ensures compliance for SaaS applications.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
Why it's wrong here
An IDS passively monitors network traffic for malicious signatures and anomalies; it neither sees SaaS user activity nor enforces DLP policy. It would be correct for detecting intrusions on monitored network segments. Cloud access security broker (CASB) provides the required SaaS visibility and policy enforcement.
- ✗
Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Why it's wrong here
A WAF inspects inbound HTTP traffic for exploits such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting, so it cannot see SaaS user activity or enforce DLP. It is tempting because it does protect web applications, but that is for defending internet-facing apps you host, not monitoring sanctioned SaaS usage.
- ✓
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
Why this is correct
A CASB sits between users and the SaaS provider, providing API and proxy-based visibility into user activity plus inline DLP enforcement. It satisfies the stem's SaaS visibility and policy requirement, unlike SWG or firewall approaches that cannot inspect sanctioned SaaS traffic.
- ✗
Network Access Control (NAC)
Why it's wrong here
NAC controls device admission to the network based on identity and posture, operating at connection time rather than inspecting SaaS sessions. It would be correct for onboarding and quarantining endpoints. A cloud access security broker (CASB) delivers the required SaaS activity visibility and DLP enforcement.
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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 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.