Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →- A
3389
Why wrong: Port 3389 is used for RDP.
- B
22
Why wrong: Port 22 is used for SSH.
- C
80
Why wrong: Port 80 is used for HTTP, not HTTPS.
- D
443
Port 443 is the standard port for HTTPS traffic.
Question 129 of 500
Quick Answer
The correct answer is port 443. HTTPS, which stands for HTTP Secure, relies on TLS or SSL encryption to protect data in transit, and by default this encrypted web traffic is carried over TCP port 443. When configuring a firewall rule to allow inbound HTTPS traffic to a web server, you must open destination port 443 so that encrypted requests can reach the server and be decrypted. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this concept tests your understanding of common network protocols and their default ports, often appearing in scenario-based questions about firewall rules or secure communications. A common trap is confusing port 80, which is used for unencrypted HTTP, with port 443 for HTTPS—remember that the “S” in HTTPS stands for “Secure,” and the secure port number is 443. A simple memory tip: think of “443” as “4-4-3” where the “4”s remind you of the four letters in “TLS” and the “3” stands for the three letters in “SSL,” the encryption protocols that make HTTPS secure.
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.
A network engineer is configuring a firewall rule to allow inbound HTTPS traffic to a web server. Which port must be opened?
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
✓
443
HTTPS (HTTP Secure) uses TLS/SSL encryption over TCP port 443 by default. To allow inbound HTTPS traffic to a web server, the firewall rule must permit TCP destination port 443. Port 80 is used for unencrypted HTTP, not HTTPS.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between HTTP (port 80) and HTTPS (port 443), and the trap here is that candidates confuse the two or assume HTTPS uses port 80 because both are web protocols.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
HTTPS encapsulates HTTP data within TLS (Transport Layer Security), which operates on top of TCP. The server listens on port 443 by default, and the firewall must allow inbound TCP SYN packets to that port. In real-world scenarios, a common misconfiguration is opening port 80 instead of 443, which leaves traffic unencrypted and vulnerable to interception, or opening both ports without proper redirection, potentially exposing the server to downgrade attacks.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
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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: 443 — HTTPS (HTTP Secure) uses TLS/SSL encryption over TCP port 443 by default. To allow inbound HTTPS traffic to a web server, the firewall rule must permit TCP destination port 443. Port 80 is used for unencrypted HTTP, not HTTPS.
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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Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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