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.
Refer to the exhibit. A cloud security administrator is reviewing the following security group configuration associated with a web server instance. What security best practice is being violated?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Inbound SSH should not be allowed from any source.
Option B is correct because allowing inbound SSH (TCP port 22) from any source (0.0.0.0/0) violates the security best practice of least privilege. SSH should only be permitted from specific administrative IP ranges or bastion hosts to prevent unauthorized access and brute-force attacks. In a cloud environment like AWS, security groups should restrict SSH to known management networks, not the entire internet.
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.
✗
Outbound traffic should be allowed to any destination.
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit restricts outbound to HTTPS only, which is a security best practice, not a violation.
✓
Inbound SSH should not be allowed from any source.
Why this is correct
The rule allows SSH from 0.0.0.0/0, violating least privilege and increasing attack surface.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Inbound HTTPS should be allowed from any source.
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit restricts HTTPS to 10.0.0.0/8, which is more secure than allowing from any source.
✗
Security groups should not be used for web servers.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups are commonly used for web servers; the misuse is not indicated in the exhibit.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the misconception that allowing inbound HTTPS from any source is a violation, but for a public web server, this is correct; the trap is confusing the need for open HTTPS with the need to restrict administrative protocols like SSH.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Security groups are stateful firewalls that automatically allow return traffic for permitted inbound rules. In AWS, a security group rule allowing SSH from 0.0.0.0/0 exposes the instance to continuous scanning and brute-force attacks; best practice is to use a bastion host or VPN with a specific source CIDR. Additionally, security groups evaluate all rules before deciding to allow traffic, so an overly permissive SSH rule cannot be overridden by a more restrictive rule later in the list.
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: Inbound SSH should not be allowed from any source. — Option B is correct because allowing inbound SSH (TCP port 22) from any source (0.0.0.0/0) violates the security best practice of least privilege. SSH should only be permitted from specific administrative IP ranges or bastion hosts to prevent unauthorized access and brute-force attacks. In a cloud environment like AWS, security groups should restrict SSH to known management networks, not the entire internet.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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