This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud security operations. 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 cloud operations team is setting up a new virtual network in the cloud. They need to segment traffic between different tiers of an application (web, application, database). Which security control should they implement?
Network access control lists and security groups
NACLs and security groups filter traffic based on rules, enabling segmentation.
Intrusion detection system
Why wrong: IDS detects but does not block traffic.
Data loss prevention
Why wrong: DLP prevents data exfiltration, not network segmentation.
Web application firewall
Why wrong: WAF protects web applications, not network segmentation.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Network access control lists and security groups
Option D is correct because network access control lists (NACLs) and security groups provide network segmentation by controlling traffic between tiers. Option A (IDS) detects threats but does not control traffic. Option B (WAF) protects web applications at layer 7. Option C (DLP) prevents data loss.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Network access control lists and security groups
Why this is correct
NACLs and security groups filter traffic based on rules, enabling segmentation.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Intrusion detection system
Why it's wrong here
IDS detects but does not block traffic.
Data loss prevention
Why it's wrong here
DLP prevents data exfiltration, not network segmentation.
Web application firewall
Why it's wrong here
WAF protects web applications, not network segmentation.
Common exam traps
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
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
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
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 CCSP ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
Cloud Security Operations — This question tests Cloud Security Operations — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
The correct answer is: Network access control lists and security groups — Option D is correct because network access control lists (NACLs) and security groups provide network segmentation by controlling traffic between tiers. Option A (IDS) detects threats but does not control traffic. Option B (WAF) protects web applications at layer 7. Option C (DLP) prevents data loss.
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 CCSP ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This CCSP 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 CCSP exam.
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