- A
Router; allow all traffic but use NAT.
Why wrong: NAT does not provide sufficient security; a firewall is needed.
- B
IDS; monitor traffic but do not block.
Why wrong: An IDS only monitors, it does not enforce segmentation.
- C
Firewall; allow only specific traffic from internal to DMZ and block DMZ-initiated connections to internal.
A firewall can enforce least privilege between segments.
- D
Switch; allow all traffic between DMZ and internal network.
Why wrong: A switch does not provide security filtering.
Question 48 of 1,000
SSCP Network and Communications Security Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of network and communications security. 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 network administrator is tasked with segmenting the network to isolate a DMZ containing public-facing web servers from the internal corporate network. Which device should be placed between the DMZ and internal network, and what type of traffic should it allow?
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
✓
Firewall; allow only specific traffic from internal to DMZ and block DMZ-initiated connections to internal.
A firewall should be used to control traffic; it should allow only necessary inbound and outbound traffic while blocking direct access from DMZ to internal network.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Router; allow all traffic but use NAT.
- ✗
IDS; monitor traffic but do not block.
Why it's wrong here
An IDS only monitors, it does not enforce segmentation.
- ✓
Firewall; allow only specific traffic from internal to DMZ and block DMZ-initiated connections to internal.
- ✗
Switch; allow all traffic between DMZ and internal network.
Why it's wrong here
A switch does not provide security filtering.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SSCP NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Network and Communications Security — This question tests Network and Communications Security — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Firewall; allow only specific traffic from internal to DMZ and block DMZ-initiated connections to internal. — A firewall should be used to control traffic; it should allow only necessary inbound and outbound traffic while blocking direct access from DMZ to internal network.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SSCP NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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