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ISC2 CC Practice Question: A company recently experienced a DoS attack…
A company recently experienced a DoS attack targeting their web server. They want to implement a solution that can differentiate between legitimate traffic and attack traffic based on behavior patterns. Which technology should they deploy?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between a WAF and an IPS, where candidates mistakenly choose WAF because they associate all web server attacks with application-layer defenses, but DoS attacks often operate at lower layers where IPS behavior analysis is required.
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
✓
Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
An Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) is the correct choice because it can analyze traffic patterns and behavior in real time, using signature-based and anomaly-based detection to distinguish legitimate traffic from DoS attack traffic. Unlike a WAF, which focuses on application-layer threats like SQL injection, an IPS can inspect network and transport layers to identify volumetric or protocol-based DoS patterns and actively block malicious flows.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Why it's wrong here
A WAF focuses on application-layer attacks like SQL injection, not general DoS behavioral patterns.
- ✗
Load balancer
Why it's wrong here
A load balancer distributes traffic but does not analyze traffic behavior for attacks.
- ✓
Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
Why this is correct
An IPS can perform deep packet inspection and behavioral analysis to detect and block DoS patterns inline.
- ✗
Stateful firewall
Why it's wrong here
A stateful firewall tracks connection state but does not perform behavior-based analysis to differentiate attack traffic.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Security Foundations
Key term
Denial-of-service
A Denial-of-service (DoS) attack is an attempt to make a computer, network, or online service unavailable to its intended users by overwhelming it with fake traffic or requests.
Key term
Intrusion Prevention System
An Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) is a network security tool that monitors network traffic and actively blocks threats like malware and cyberattacks in real time.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CC exam.