- A
Security group
Security groups are instance-level stateful firewalls.
- B
Network ACL (NACL)
Why wrong: NACLs are stateless and apply at subnet level.
- C
Internet gateway
Why wrong: Internet gateway allows VPC to internet, not a firewall.
- D
Route table
Why wrong: Route tables direct traffic, not filter.
Question 864 of 1,000
easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CCSP Practice Question: In a cloud VPC design, which component acts as a…
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.
In a cloud VPC design, which component acts as a stateful firewall at the instance level, allowing only inbound rules?
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
✓
Security group
Security groups are stateful firewalls that control traffic to instances; they only support allow rules and are stateful.
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.
- ✓
Security group
Why this is correct
Security groups are instance-level stateful firewalls.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Network ACL (NACL)
Why it's wrong here
NACLs are stateless and apply at subnet level.
- ✗
Internet gateway
- ✗
Route table
Why it's wrong here
Route tables direct traffic, not filter.
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 CCSP ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Security group — Security groups are stateful firewalls that control traffic to instances; they only support allow rules and are stateful.
What should I do if I get this CCSP 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 CCSP ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
About these practice questions
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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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