Free SSCP Network and Communications Security Practice Test 2026 — ISC2 Questions

This free SSCP Network and Communications Security practice test covers securing networks and communications — the OSI and TCP/IP models, network attacks and countermeasures, firewalls and IDS/IPS, network segmentation, VPNs, and wireless security. Each question includes a detailed explanation written from an operational security perspective — perfect for ISC2 SSCP exam prep.

Key Topics in SSCP Network and Communications Security

Free SSCP Network and Communications Security Practice Questions with Answers

Each question below includes 4 answer options, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation. These are real questions from the FlashGenius SSCP question bank for the Network and Communications Security domain (16% of the exam).

Sample Question 1 — Network and Communications Security

You are a systems security practitioner tasked with configuring a firewall to protect a web server hosted on a Linux machine. The server should only allow incoming HTTP and HTTPS traffic from external clients and SSH traffic from the internal network for administrative purposes. Which of the following firewall rules should you implement?

  1. A. Allow incoming traffic on ports 80 and 443 from any source, and port 22 from the internal network. (Correct answer)
  2. B. Allow incoming traffic on ports 80, 443, and 22 from any source.
  3. C. Allow incoming traffic on ports 80 and 443 from the internal network, and port 22 from any source.
  4. D. Allow incoming traffic on ports 22 and 443 from any source, and port 80 from the internal network.

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Option A is correct because it allows HTTP (port 80) and HTTPS (port 443) traffic from any external source, which is necessary for a web server, and restricts SSH (port 22) access to the internal network, ensuring secure administrative access. Option B is incorrect because it allows SSH access from any source, which poses a security risk. Option C is incorrect because it restricts web traffic to the internal network only, defeating the purpose of a public web server. Option D is incorrect because it allows SSH access from any source and restricts HTTP traffic to the internal network.

Sample Question 2 — Network and Communications Security

Your organization has recently deployed a new firewall at the network perimeter. During a routine security audit, you notice that legitimate traffic is being blocked while some unauthorized traffic is allowed through. What is the most effective approach to address this issue?

  1. A. Disable the firewall temporarily to allow all traffic and troubleshoot the issue.
  2. B. Review and adjust the firewall rules to ensure they align with the organization's security policy. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Increase the logging level on the firewall to gather more information about the traffic.
  4. D. Replace the firewall with a different model that has better default settings.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Reviewing and adjusting the firewall rules is the most effective approach as it directly addresses the misconfiguration causing the issue. Disabling the firewall (A) could expose the network to threats. Increasing the logging level (C) may help gather information but does not directly solve the problem. Replacing the firewall (D) is unnecessary and costly when a configuration change can resolve the issue.

Sample Question 3 — Network and Communications Security

While monitoring network traffic using a SIEM tool, you observe a sudden spike in outbound traffic from a single internal IP address. What should be your immediate next step?

  1. A. Block all outbound traffic from the IP address to prevent data exfiltration.
  2. B. Contact the user associated with the IP address to verify if they are performing any large data transfers.
  3. C. Conduct a detailed analysis of the traffic patterns and content to determine the nature of the traffic. (Correct answer)
  4. D. Ignore the spike as it might be a false positive generated by the SIEM tool.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Conducting a detailed analysis of the traffic patterns and content (C) is crucial to understanding the nature of the spike and whether it poses a security threat. Blocking all traffic (A) might be too aggressive without knowing the cause. Contacting the user (B) can be part of the investigation but should not be the immediate step. Ignoring the spike (D) is risky as it could be indicative of a security incident.

Sample Question 4 — Network and Communications Security

You are tasked with configuring access controls for a new application server. Which of the following strategies best ensures that only authorized users have access to the application?

  1. A. Implement a default allow rule for the application server's access control list.
  2. B. Use role-based access control (RBAC) to assign permissions based on job functions. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Allow all users access initially and then restrict permissions as needed.
  4. D. Grant administrative privileges to all users to simplify access management.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Using role-based access control (RBAC) (B) aligns permissions with job functions, ensuring that only authorized users have the necessary access. A default allow rule (A) is insecure and can lead to unauthorized access. Allowing all users access initially (C) is not secure. Granting administrative privileges to all users (D) is a significant security risk and goes against the principle of least privilege.

Sample Question 5 — Network and Communications Security

During a routine check, you discover that a critical patch has not been applied to several servers, leaving them vulnerable. What is the best course of action to mitigate this risk?

  1. A. Immediately apply the patch to all affected servers during business hours.
  2. B. Schedule the patch deployment during the next maintenance window and implement compensating controls in the interim. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Wait for the next scheduled patch cycle and apply the patch then.
  4. D. Inform the system users about the vulnerability and advise them to be cautious.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Scheduling the patch deployment during the next maintenance window (B) while implementing compensating controls immediately minimizes disruption and mitigates risk. Applying the patch immediately (A) could cause downtime during business hours. Waiting for the next patch cycle (C) leaves the servers exposed for longer than necessary. Informing users (D) is not a sufficient mitigation strategy.

Sample Question 6 — Network and Communications Security

You are configuring a VPN for remote workers to connect securely to the corporate network. Which of the following protocols would best ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the data transmitted over the VPN?

  1. A. Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)
  2. B. Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) without encryption
  3. C. Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) (Correct answer)
  4. D. Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) without SSL

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) (C) is designed to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of data. PPTP (A) is considered less secure due to known vulnerabilities. L2TP without encryption (B) does not provide confidentiality. SSTP without SSL (D) would not be secure as SSL is essential for encryption.

How to Study SSCP Network and Communications Security

Combine these SSCP Network and Communications Security practice questions with the official ISC2 study guide. Since October 2025 the SSCP uses adaptive CAT testing — one pass, no reviewing answers — so practice scenario-based judgment under timed conditions rather than memorizing definitions.

Frequently Asked Questions about SSCP Network and Communications Security

What does the SSCP Network and Communications Security domain cover?

SSCP Network and Communications Security covers securing networks and communications — the OSI and TCP/IP models, network attacks and countermeasures, firewalls and IDS/IPS, network segmentation, VPNs, and wireless security. Expect scenario-based questions covering OSI & TCP/IP Models, Network Attacks, Firewalls & IDS/IPS, Segmentation & VLANs, VPNs, Wireless Security.

How many Network and Communications Security practice questions are on this page?

This free practice set includes SSCP Network and Communications Security questions with detailed explanations. Premium members get unlimited access to the full SSCP question bank across all 7 domains.

What weight does Network and Communications Security have on the SSCP exam?

Network and Communications Security accounts for 16% of the ISC2 SSCP exam content.

Is this SSCP Network and Communications Security practice test free?

Yes. The practice test is completely free with no signup required. You get instant scoring and detailed explanations for every question.

About the ISC2 SSCP Exam

Other SSCP Domains

Start the free SSCP Network and Communications Security practice test now | 10-question quick start | All SSCP domains | Get Premium Access