This CC practice question tests your understanding of network security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 security administrator is concerned about MAC address spoofing on the network. Which technology can help mitigate this risk by associating a specific MAC address with a port?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
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Port security
Port security is the correct answer because it directly mitigates MAC address spoofing by allowing an administrator to statically or dynamically associate a specific MAC address with a switch port. When a device with a different MAC address attempts to use that port, port security can either disable the port (errdisable) or drop the traffic, preventing unauthorized access. This is a Layer 2 security feature that enforces MAC-to-port binding.
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.
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Port security
Why this is correct
Port security limits the number of MAC addresses on a port and can associate specific MACs, preventing spoofing.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Dynamic ARP inspection
Why it's wrong here
DAI validates ARP packets using DHCP snooping bindings but does not associate MACs with ports directly.
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DHCP snooping
Why it's wrong here
DHCP snooping filters DHCP messages but does not associate MACs with ports indefinitely.
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VLAN hopping prevention
Why it's wrong here
VLAN hopping prevention techniques address VLAN attacks, not MAC spoofing.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between features that prevent MAC spoofing (port security) versus features that prevent ARP spoofing (DAI) or DHCP attacks (DHCP snooping), leading candidates to confuse the purpose of each technology.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Port security uses a MAC address table that is separate from the CAM table; it can be configured with a maximum number of secure MAC addresses per port (default 1) and a violation mode (shutdown, restrict, or protect). In a real-world scenario, an attacker plugging into an unused wall jack with a spoofed MAC could be blocked if port security is configured with sticky MAC learning, which dynamically learns and saves the first MAC address seen on the port to the running configuration.
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 analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CC question in full detail.
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Port security — Port security is the correct answer because it directly mitigates MAC address spoofing by allowing an administrator to statically or dynamically associate a specific MAC address with a switch port. When a device with a different MAC address attempts to use that port, port security can either disable the port (errdisable) or drop the traffic, preventing unauthorized access. This is a Layer 2 security feature that enforces MAC-to-port binding.
What should I do if I get this CC 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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Question Discussion
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