ISC2 CC Network Security Practice Question
A security analyst notices unusual traffic on the network and wants to capture packets for analysis without altering traffic. Which device should they use?
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 tap
A network tap (or port mirror) creates a copy of traffic for passive monitoring. A firewall blocks/allows traffic, an IPS blocks malicious traffic, and a proxy modifies requests.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Firewall
Why it's wrong here
A firewall filters traffic but does not copy it for analysis.
- ✗
Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
Why it's wrong here
An IPS is inline and can block traffic.
- ✗
Proxy server
Why it's wrong here
A proxy intercepts and modifies requests.
- ✓
Network tap
Why this is correct
A network tap provides a passive copy of traffic for analysis.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
IPS
An Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) is a network security device that monitors traffic in real time and automatically blocks threats before they reach your systems.
Key term
Analysis
In incident response, analysis is the process of examining data and events to determine what happened, how it happened, and what actions to take.
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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.