- A
Packet filtering (stateless)
Why wrong: Stateless does not track connections.
- B
NGFW
NGFW includes stateful inspection and provides this capability.
- C
Application proxy
Why wrong: Proxy can be used but is not the primary for this purpose.
- D
Stateful inspection
Stateful firewalls allow return traffic automatically.
- E
IDS
Why wrong: IDS is passive and does not block traffic.
Question 161 of 1,000
ISC2 CC Network Security Practice Question
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.
An organization wants to protect its internal network from unsolicited inbound traffic while allowing responses to outbound connections. Which TWO firewall features or types are best suited for this? (Select TWO)
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
✓
NGFW
Stateful inspection tracks connection state to allow return traffic. NGFW includes stateful inspection plus advanced features. Packet filtering alone is stateless; proxy and IDS are not optimal.
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.
- ✗
Packet filtering (stateless)
Why it's wrong here
Stateless does not track connections.
- ✓
NGFW
Why this is correct
NGFW includes stateful inspection and provides this capability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Application proxy
Why it's wrong here
Proxy can be used but is not the primary for this purpose.
- ✓
Stateful inspection
Why this is correct
Stateful firewalls allow return traffic automatically.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
IDS
Why it's wrong here
IDS is passive and does not block traffic.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which CC exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CC question test?
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: NGFW — Stateful inspection tracks connection state to allow return traffic. NGFW includes stateful inspection plus advanced features. Packet filtering alone is stateless; proxy and IDS are not optimal.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
Identify which CC exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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