- A
Classification-based controls
Why wrong: Classification is a method, not a type of DLP deployment.
- B
Cloud DLP
Why wrong: Cloud DLP monitors data stored in cloud services.
- C
Network DLP
Network DLP inspects traffic at network egress points, including email.
- D
Endpoint DLP
Why wrong: Endpoint DLP monitors data on devices like laptops and desktops.
Question 179 of 1,000
CISSP Security Operations Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security operations. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 team implements a Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solution to monitor email attachments for sensitive data. Which type of DLP is being used?
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 DLP
Network DLP monitors data in motion by inspecting network traffic, such as email attachments, as they traverse the network perimeter. This is the correct type because the scenario explicitly describes monitoring email attachments, which are transmitted over the network, and Network DLP is designed to inspect SMTP, HTTP, FTP, and other protocols for sensitive content at the network layer.
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.
- ✗
Classification-based controls
Why it's wrong here
Classification is a method, not a type of DLP deployment.
- ✗
Cloud DLP
Why it's wrong here
Cloud DLP monitors data stored in cloud services.
- ✓
Network DLP
Why this is correct
Network DLP inspects traffic at network egress points, including email.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Endpoint DLP
Why it's wrong here
Endpoint DLP monitors data on devices like laptops and desktops.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'monitoring email attachments' with endpoint-based controls, but the key distinction is that Network DLP inspects data in motion across the network, whereas Endpoint DLP focuses on local device actions like saving to USB or printing.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Network DLP appliances typically use deep packet inspection (DPI) to reassemble application-layer protocols like SMTP, then apply content matching against predefined patterns (e.g., regex for credit card numbers, fingerprinting for PII). A subtle behavior is that Network DLP can be bypassed if traffic is encrypted (e.g., TLS), requiring integration with a TLS proxy or email security gateway to decrypt and re-inspect the payload. In real-world scenarios, Network DLP is often deployed at the internet egress point to catch data exfiltration attempts before they leave the corporate network.
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.
Quick reference
OSI Model Reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISSP question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Network DLP — Network DLP monitors data in motion by inspecting network traffic, such as email attachments, as they traverse the network perimeter. This is the correct type because the scenario explicitly describes monitoring email attachments, which are transmitted over the network, and Network DLP is designed to inspect SMTP, HTTP, FTP, and other protocols for sensitive content at the network layer.
What should I do if I get this CISSP 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CISSP 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 CISSP exam.
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