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mediumMatchingObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: Match each security control type to its example.
Match each security control type to its example.
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
✓
Preventive: Firewall blocking unauthorized access
Common security control categories: Preventive controls stop incidents (e.g., firewall), Detective controls identify incidents (e.g., camera), Corrective controls remediate (e.g., backup restore), Deterrent controls discourage (e.g., warning sign). Distractors mix these roles.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Preventive: Firewall blocking unauthorized access
Why this is correct
A firewall is a preventive control that stops unauthorized access before it occurs.
- ✓
Detective: Security camera recording activities
Why this is correct
Security cameras are detective controls that identify and record events for review.
- ✓
Corrective: Restoring data from backup after ransomware
Why this is correct
Restoring from backup is a corrective control that remediates damage after an incident.
- ✓
Deterrent: Warning sign stating 'No Trespassing'
Why this is correct
Warning signs are deterrent controls that discourage potential attackers.
- ✗
Preventive: Log monitoring and alerts
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — log monitoring is a detective control, not preventive.
- ✗
Detective: Patching vulnerabilities
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — patching is a preventive control that fixes vulnerabilities before exploitation.
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Related to this question
About these practice questions
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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 TWO of the following are examples of preventive controls for data leakage?
hard- ✓ A.Encryption.
- ✓ B.Data Loss Prevention (DLP) system.
- C.Log monitoring.
- D.Security awareness training.
- E.User access reviews.
Why A: Encryption is a preventive control because it renders data unreadable to unauthorized parties, thereby preventing data leakage even if the data is intercepted or accessed without authorization. By transforming plaintext into ciphertext using algorithms like AES-256, encryption ensures that only entities with the correct decryption key can access the original data, effectively blocking data exfiltration at rest or in transit.
Variation 2. Which THREE of the following are examples of detective controls?
medium- ✓ A.Intrusion detection system (IDS)
- ✓ B.Security information and event management (SIEM)
- C.Data encryption at rest
- ✓ D.Log monitoring and analysis
- E.Firewall with default-deny rule
Why A: An intrusion detection system (IDS) is a detective control because it passively monitors network traffic or system activity for signs of malicious behavior or policy violations, generating alerts when suspicious patterns are detected. Unlike a preventive control, an IDS does not block traffic; it only identifies and reports incidents after they occur or in real-time, making it a classic example of a detective security measure.
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.