- A
UDP port 80
Why wrong: Not a standard service.
- B
UDP port 443
Why wrong: HTTPS uses TCP, not UDP.
- C
TCP port 443
HTTPS uses TCP port 443 by default.
- D
TCP port 80
Why wrong: Port 80 is for HTTP, not HTTPS.
Question 197 of 1,000
easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: A network administrator is configuring a firewall…
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of sscp exam topics. 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 configuring a firewall rule to allow inbound HTTPS traffic to a web server. Which protocol and port should be allowed?
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
✓
TCP port 443
HTTPS (HTTP over TLS) uses TCP as its transport protocol because it requires reliable, connection-oriented delivery for secure web traffic. The default port for HTTPS is 443, as defined in RFC 2818. Therefore, allowing TCP port 443 is the correct firewall rule.
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.
- ✗
UDP port 80
Why it's wrong here
Not a standard service.
- ✗
UDP port 443
- ✓
TCP port 443
- ✗
TCP port 80
Why it's wrong here
Port 80 is for HTTP, not HTTPS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse HTTP (TCP 80) with HTTPS (TCP 443) or mistakenly think HTTPS can use UDP, but the SSCP exam expects you to know that standard HTTPS uses TCP port 443.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
HTTPS encapsulates HTTP data within TLS (Transport Layer Security), which itself runs over TCP to ensure ordered, error-checked delivery. While QUIC (RFC 9000) uses UDP for HTTP/3, traditional HTTPS (HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2) relies on TCP port 443. Firewall rules must match the transport protocol and port exactly; misconfiguring UDP for HTTPS would block legitimate traffic.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
Visual reference
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.
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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: TCP port 443 — HTTPS (HTTP over TLS) uses TCP as its transport protocol because it requires reliable, connection-oriented delivery for secure web traffic. The default port for HTTPS is 443, as defined in RFC 2818. Therefore, allowing TCP port 443 is the correct firewall rule.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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