The answer is to restrict the source for rule 10 to specific administrative IPs. This change reduces risk most because the current rule allows SSH (TCP/22) from any source (0.0.0.0/0) to an internal server, exposing the management interface to the entire internet and creating a massive attack surface for brute-force and unauthorized access. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this scenario tests your grasp of the principle of least privilege and network access control, often appearing as a trap where broad “any/any” rules seem convenient but violate core security policy. A common mistake is focusing on blocking all traffic instead of narrowing the source; remember that restricting who can initiate a connection is more effective than simply denying a port. For a memory tip, think “SSH from SSH: Specific Source Hardens”—always lock down administrative protocols to known IP ranges.
SSCP Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of risk identification, monitoring and analysis. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
[Firewall Rule - Policy]
Rule ID: 10
Source: Any
Destination: 10.10.10.0/24
Port: 1433
Action: Allow
Logging: Enabled
Rule ID: 15
Source: 10.10.10.0/24
Destination: Any
Port: 445
Action: Allow
Logging: Disabled
Refer to the exhibit. During a security review, an analyst finds these firewall rules. Which recommendation should be made to reduce risk?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Restrict the source for rule 10 to specific administrative IPs
Rule 10 allows SSH (TCP/22) from any source (0.0.0.0/0) to the internal server, which exposes the management interface to the entire internet. Restricting the source to specific administrative IPs reduces the attack surface by limiting who can initiate SSH connections, mitigating brute-force and unauthorized access risks. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and is a fundamental access control recommendation.
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.
✓
Restrict the source for rule 10 to specific administrative IPs
Why this is correct
Limiting source reduces attack surface for SQL Server.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable logging on rule 15 as well
Why it's wrong here
Logging is good but does not address the overly permissive access.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may focus on logging (option B) or overly broad solutions (option C) instead of directly addressing the most critical risk—unrestricted inbound SSH access—which is the classic 'permit any any' mistake in firewall rules.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In firewall rule sets, implicit deny at the end of the ACL is standard, but explicit permit rules like rule 10 with source any override that for SSH. SSH (TCP/22) is a common target for automated attacks; restricting source IPs to a trusted management subnet (e.g., 10.0.0.0/8) reduces the exposure from the entire internet to a controlled range. Real-world scenarios often involve compliance frameworks (e.g., PCI DSS) requiring strict access controls for administrative protocols, making this a high-priority finding.
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.
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.
Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis — This question tests Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Restrict the source for rule 10 to specific administrative IPs — Rule 10 allows SSH (TCP/22) from any source (0.0.0.0/0) to the internal server, which exposes the management interface to the entire internet. Restricting the source to specific administrative IPs reduces the attack surface by limiting who can initiate SSH connections, mitigating brute-force and unauthorized access risks. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and is a fundamental access control recommendation.
What should I do if I get this SSCP 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.