- A
The firewall is dropping SSH connections only when they are new, but established sessions may still be allowed.
Why wrong: This is a true statement but does not fully explain the symptom because users cannot establish new SSH connections, which matches the rule.
- B
The firewall policy is set to ACCEPT on the INPUT chain, so SSH should work.
Why wrong: The policy is ACCEPT, but the specific DROP rule is evaluated first and overrides the default policy for matching packets.
- C
The firewall is blocking all incoming traffic on port 22.
Why wrong: The rule only drops packets matching state NEW, not all packets on port 22.
- D
The firewall is configured to drop new SSH connections, which prevents users from initiating new SSH sessions.
The DROP rule for tcp dpt:22 with state NEW explicitly drops new SSH connection attempts, explaining the inability to SSH.
SSCP Practice Question: Refer to the exhibit
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of sscp exam topics. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 security administrator is troubleshooting connectivity to a web server. Users report they can access the website via HTTP and HTTPS, but cannot establish new SSH connections. Which of the following best explains this issue?
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 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 firewall is configured to drop new SSH connections, which prevents users from initiating new SSH sessions.
The firewall drops all new TCP connections to port 22 (SSH) using the state NEW module, which prevents users from establishing new SSH sessions. Option D correctly identifies this configuration. Option A describes the rule's behavior but includes the irrelevant point about established sessions, making it less direct. Option B is incorrect because the INPUT chain policy being ACCEPT does not override the specific drop rule for new SSH traffic. Option C is incorrect because the rule does not block all traffic on port 22, only new connections.
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.
- ✗
The firewall is dropping SSH connections only when they are new, but established sessions may still be allowed.
Why it's wrong here
This is a true statement but does not fully explain the symptom because users cannot establish new SSH connections, which matches the rule.
- ✗
The firewall policy is set to ACCEPT on the INPUT chain, so SSH should work.
Why it's wrong here
The policy is ACCEPT, but the specific DROP rule is evaluated first and overrides the default policy for matching packets.
- ✗
The firewall is blocking all incoming traffic on port 22.
Why it's wrong here
The rule only drops packets matching state NEW, not all packets on port 22.
- ✓
The firewall is configured to drop new SSH connections, which prevents users from initiating new SSH sessions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The firewall is configured to drop new SSH connections, which prevents users from initiating new SSH sessions. — The firewall drops all new TCP connections to port 22 (SSH) using the state NEW module, which prevents users from establishing new SSH sessions. Option D correctly identifies this configuration. Option A describes the rule's behavior but includes the irrelevant point about established sessions, making it less direct. Option B is incorrect because the INPUT chain policy being ACCEPT does not override the specific drop rule for new SSH traffic. Option C is incorrect because the rule does not block all traffic on port 22, only new connections.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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