mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: A network administrator configured the above port…
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. interface GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport mode access switchport port-security switchport port-security maximum 2 switchport port-security violation restrict switchport port-security mac-address sticky
A network administrator configured the above port security on an access port connected to a VoIP phone and a PC. A third device is connected to the phone's passthrough port. What will happen when the third device attempts to communicate?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the misconception that the VoIP phone's MAC address is not counted toward port security limits, leading candidates to incorrectly choose that the third device is allowed, when in fact the phone's MAC is always counted unless a specific 'voice VLAN' exception is configured (which is not the case here).
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
✓
The third device's traffic will be dropped, and a syslog message will be generated.
The port security configuration on the access port has a maximum MAC address count that includes the VoIP phone's MAC address. When a third device connects to the phone's passthrough port, it introduces an additional MAC address, exceeding the configured limit. The switch will then drop traffic from the third device and generate a syslog message, as the default violation mode is 'restrict' (or 'protect' depending on the configuration), which does not error-disable the port but discards offending frames and logs the event.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The third device will be allowed to communicate because the phone's MAC is not counted.
Why it's wrong here
The phone's MAC is counted; the limit is 2, so the third is denied.
- ✓
The third device's traffic will be dropped, and a syslog message will be generated.
Why this is correct
'Restrict' drops excess traffic and logs the violation.
- ✗
The port will be error-disabled.
Why it's wrong here
Only 'shutdown' violation mode causes error-disable.
- ✗
The port will remain up but all traffic will be dropped.
Why it's wrong here
Only the third device's traffic is dropped, not all.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SSCP 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 SSCP exam.