SSCP Network and Communications Security Practice Question
A security analyst is investigating a potential ARP spoofing attack on a local network segment. Which TWO network security controls would be most effective in preventing or detecting such an attack at Layer 2?
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
✓
Implement Port Security with MAC address binding
Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) validates ARP packets on trusted ports and drops invalid ones. Port Security with MAC address binding limits the number of MAC addresses per port, reducing the effectiveness of ARP spoofing.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure DHCP snooping on switches
Why it's wrong here
DHCP snooping helps prevent rogue DHCP servers, not directly ARP spoofing.
- ✗
Use IPsec transport mode between hosts
Why it's wrong here
IPsec encrypts traffic but does not prevent ARP spoofing at Layer 2.
- ✓
Implement Port Security with MAC address binding
Why this is correct
Port Security limits MAC addresses per port, making it harder for an attacker to spoof multiple IPs.
- ✗
Deploy a network-based IDS monitoring ARP traffic
Why it's wrong here
An IDS can detect ARP spoofing but is not a preventive control; it is detective.
- ✓
Enable Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) on switches
Why this is correct
DAI intercepts and validates ARP packets, preventing spoofed ARP replies.
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 |
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This SSCP question is part of Courseiva's 920-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on SSCP
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which of the following is a common defense against ARP spoofing attacks on a local area network?
easy- A.DHCP snooping
- B.Port security
- C.MAC filtering
- ✓ D.Dynamic ARP Inspection
Why D: Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) validates ARP packets against a trusted database (DHCP snooping binding), preventing spoofed ARP messages.
Variation 2. During a penetration test, a security analyst captures a packet containing a gratuitous ARP reply that associates the attacker's MAC address with the default gateway's IP address. This is a classic indicator of which attack?
hard- ✓ A.ARP spoofing
- B.DHCP spoofing
- C.MAC cloning
- D.DNS poisoning
Why A: ARP spoofing (or ARP poisoning) sends gratuitous ARP replies to redirect traffic, enabling man-in-the-middle attacks.
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.