- A
Stateful inspection
Stateful firewalls track connection state.
- B
Packet filtering
Why wrong: Packet filtering is stateless, only checks headers.
- C
Application proxy
Why wrong: Application proxy inspects application data, but may not track connection state.
- D
NGFW
Why wrong: NGFW includes stateful inspection plus more features, but stateful inspection is the core.
Question 795 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.
Which firewall type reads packet headers and also tracks the state of active connections to make filtering decisions?
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
✓
Stateful inspection
Stateful inspection firewalls maintain a state table to track connections, allowing return traffic for permitted outbound connections.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Stateful inspection
Why this is correct
Stateful firewalls track connection state.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Packet filtering
Why it's wrong here
Packet filtering is stateless, only checks headers.
- ✗
Application proxy
Why it's wrong here
Application proxy inspects application data, but may not track connection state.
- ✗
NGFW
Why it's wrong here
NGFW includes stateful inspection plus more features, but stateful inspection is the core.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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. ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related CC ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CC question test?
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Stateful inspection — Stateful inspection firewalls maintain a state table to track connections, allowing return traffic for permitted outbound connections.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related CC ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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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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