hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CCSP Practice Question: A financial services firm uses a hybrid cloud…
A financial services firm uses a hybrid cloud architecture with a VPN connection to AWS. They need to comply with PCI DSS requirements for network segmentation. Which design is best?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse VPC peering or security groups as sufficient for network segmentation, but PCI DSS requires a DMZ with a firewall appliance to enforce a clear security boundary, not just logical isolation.
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
✓
Implement a DMZ with a firewall appliance in a transit VPC.
A DMZ with a firewall appliance in a transit VPC provides a controlled, inspectable boundary between the on-premises network and AWS, enabling network segmentation that meets PCI DSS Requirement 1 (firewall configuration) and Requirement 1.3 (DMZ to isolate cardholder data from untrusted networks). The transit VPC design allows centralized egress/ingress inspection and prevents direct lateral movement between environments, which is critical for compliance.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use AWS Direct Connect with multiple VLANs to separate traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect is for connectivity, not network segmentation within AWS.
- ✓
Implement a DMZ with a firewall appliance in a transit VPC.
Why this is correct
A transit VPC with firewall enforces segmentation and inspection, compliant with PCI DSS.
- ✗
Create separate VPCs for cardholder data and corporate systems, connected via VPC peering.
Why it's wrong here
Separate VPCs provide isolation but lack a central inspection point.
- ✗
Use a single VPC with security groups to isolate workloads.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups provide host-level filtering but not full network segmentation.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.