- A
Network ACL (NACL)
NACLs are stateless and allow explicit deny rules at the subnet level.
- B
Transit gateway
Why wrong: Transit gateway acts as a hub for VPC connections, not a security filter.
- C
Security group
Why wrong: Security groups are stateful and cannot be used to explicitly deny traffic; they only have allow rules.
- D
VPC peering connection
Why wrong: VPC peering connects VPCs, it does not filter traffic.
Question 1,000 of 1,000
mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CCSP Practice Question: A cloud security analyst is reviewing the network…
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of ccsp exam topics. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 security analyst is reviewing the network architecture of a VPC. The security team wants to block all traffic from a known malicious IP address at the subnet level. Which AWS network security component 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 ACL (NACL)
NACLs (Network Access Control Lists) are stateless firewalls that operate at the subnet level and support both allow and deny rules. Security groups are stateful and only support allow rules at the instance level.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Network ACL (NACL)
Why this is correct
NACLs are stateless and allow explicit deny rules at the subnet level.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Transit gateway
Why it's wrong here
Transit gateway acts as a hub for VPC connections, not a security filter.
- ✗
Security group
Why it's wrong here
Security groups are stateful and cannot be used to explicitly deny traffic; they only have allow rules.
- ✗
VPC peering connection
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering connects VPCs, it does not filter traffic.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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. Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related CCSP subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Network ACL (NACL) — NACLs (Network Access Control Lists) are stateless firewalls that operate at the subnet level and support both allow and deny rules. Security groups are stateful and only support allow rules at the instance level.
What should I do if I get this CCSP question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related CCSP subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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