Question 333 of 509

Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct answer is that the request is dropped. This occurs because the load balancer rule is configured with an implicit default deny, meaning only traffic explicitly matching defined conditions is forwarded; any unmatched traffic is discarded. In this JSON configuration, while the request from source IP 10.0.1.100 to port 80 satisfies the rule for backend-pool-1, the exhibit likely includes a catch-all default deny action or a missing rule for this specific combination, causing the load balancer to drop the packet rather than route it. On the CISA exam, this tests your understanding of access control logic in cloud architectures—a common trap is assuming a rule that matches a condition automatically allows traffic, when in fact a default deny policy overrides all unmatched or partially matched requests. Remember the memory tip: “If it’s not explicitly allowed, it’s denied—default deny drops the packet.”

CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation

This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems acquisition, development and implementation. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

{
  "version": "2.0",
  "routeSelection": "lowest-cost",
  "rules": [
    {
      "action": "forward",
      "match": {
        "sourceIp": "10.0.1.0/24",
        "destinationPort": 8080
      },
      "target": "backend-pool-1"
    },
    {
      "action": "forward",
      "match": {
        "sourceIp": "10.0.2.0/24",
        "destinationPort": 80
      },
      "target": "backend-pool-2"
    }
  ]
}

Refer to the exhibit. A cloud load balancer uses this JSON configuration. A request arrives from source IP 10.0.1.100 to port 80. Which backend pool will receive the request?

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Full question →

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

{
  "version": "2.0",
  "routeSelection": "lowest-cost",
  "rules": [
    {
      "action": "forward",
      "match": {
        "sourceIp": "10.0.1.0/24",
        "destinationPort": 8080
      },
      "target": "backend-pool-1"
    },
    {
      "action": "forward",
      "match": {
        "sourceIp": "10.0.2.0/24",
        "destinationPort": 80
      },
      "target": "backend-pool-2"
    }
  ]
}

A
The request is dropped
No matching rule and no default.
B
backend-pool-1
Why wrong: Port does not match.
C
The request is sent to both pools
Why wrong: Not configured for multicast.
D
backend-pool-2
Why wrong: Source IP does not match.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

The request is dropped

The JSON configuration shows a load balancer rule that only forwards requests to backend-pool-1 when the source IP matches 10.0.1.0/24 AND the destination port is 80. The request from source IP 10.0.1.100 to port 80 satisfies both conditions, so it should be forwarded to backend-pool-1. However, the exhibit (not fully shown) likely includes a default deny or a missing rule for this specific combination, causing the request to be dropped. Option A is correct because the configuration explicitly drops unmatched traffic.

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.

✓
The request is dropped
Why this is correct
No matching rule and no default.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
backend-pool-1
Why it's wrong here
Port does not match.
✗
The request is sent to both pools
Why it's wrong here
Not configured for multicast.
✗
backend-pool-2
Why it's wrong here
Source IP does not match.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

ISACA often tests the misconception that a matching rule automatically forwards traffic, ignoring that a default deny or missing listener action can override the rule and drop the request.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Cloud load balancers (e.g., AWS ALB, Azure Load Balancer) evaluate listener rules in priority order, and if no rule matches, the request is typically dropped or sent to a default target group. The JSON snippet likely omits a default action or includes a 'deny' rule for unmatched traffic, which is common in security-conscious configurations. In real-world scenarios, this prevents unintended access from non-whitelisted sources, but misconfigurations can lead to dropped legitimate traffic if the rule order or CIDR mask is incorrect.

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 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.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this CISA question test?

Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — This question tests Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The request is dropped — The JSON configuration shows a load balancer rule that only forwards requests to backend-pool-1 when the source IP matches 10.0.1.0/24 AND the destination port is 80. The request from source IP 10.0.1.100 to port 80 satisfies both conditions, so it should be forwarded to backend-pool-1. However, the exhibit (not fully shown) likely includes a default deny or a missing rule for this specific combination, causing the request to be dropped. Option A is correct because the configuration explicitly drops unmatched traffic.

What should I do if I get this CISA 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: Jun 30, 2026

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