CCSP Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud platform and infrastructure security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 security architect is designing network segmentation for a multi-tier application in the cloud. Which TWO configurations help enforce micro-segmentation? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Deploy a virtual firewall between tiers.
Option D is correct because deploying a virtual firewall between tiers (e.g., between web, application, and database tiers) enforces micro-segmentation by inspecting and controlling east-west traffic at the application layer. This allows granular, stateful filtering of traffic based on specific protocols, ports, and even application-level attributes, preventing lateral movement of threats within the cloud environment.
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.
✗
Allow all traffic from the internet.
Why it's wrong here
Allowing all traffic removes segmentation.
✗
Use a bastion host for all administrative access.
Why it's wrong here
Bastion host is for secure admin access, not micro-segmentation.
✗
Use a single network ACL for all subnets.
Why it's wrong here
A single ACL does not provide granular segmentation.
✓
Deploy a virtual firewall between tiers.
Why this is correct
A virtual firewall enforces segmentation and inspection.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Implement security groups per application tier.
Why this is correct
Security groups per tier allow fine-grained traffic control between tiers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between coarse network controls (like a single ACL) and granular micro-segmentation mechanisms (like virtual firewalls or security groups), trapping candidates who confuse a bastion host or broad ACLs with proper tier isolation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Micro-segmentation relies on software-defined networking (SDN) and distributed firewalls to enforce per-application-tier policies, often using virtual firewalls (e.g., VMware NSX Distributed Firewall, AWS Network Firewall) that can filter traffic based on VM attributes, tags, or IP sets. In a real-world scenario, a virtual firewall between tiers can block database traffic from any source except the application tier's specific IP range and port (e.g., TCP 3306 for MySQL), preventing an attacker who compromises the web tier from directly accessing the database. Under the hood, these firewalls maintain state tables and can integrate with identity-based policies, unlike stateless ACLs which require manual rule management and lack application awareness.
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security — This question tests Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Deploy a virtual firewall between tiers. — Option D is correct because deploying a virtual firewall between tiers (e.g., between web, application, and database tiers) enforces micro-segmentation by inspecting and controlling east-west traffic at the application layer. This allows granular, stateful filtering of traffic based on specific protocols, ports, and even application-level attributes, preventing lateral movement of threats within the cloud environment.
What should I do if I get this CCSP 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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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.
Question Discussion
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