CompTIA CASP+ Practice Test

Which technology best supports a system hardening policy that restricts access to specific services?

1. Virtualization

2. Host firewall

3. Network router

4. Cloud storage security

The correct answer is: Host firewall

A host firewall is a security mechanism that is implemented on an individual host (such as a server or a workstation) to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It plays a crucial role in a system hardening policy by enforcing access restrictions to specific services running on that host. By configuring a host firewall, administrators can specify which services can be accessed and by whom, effectively limiting exposure to unnecessary risks. For instance, if a service should only be accessible by certain user roles or from specific IP addresses, the host firewall can be configured to block all other access attempts. This targeted approach improves security by minimizing the attack surface and controlling traffic to sensitive services. While virtualization can also contribute to security by isolating environments, it doesn't inherently restrict access to services in the same way a host firewall does. Network routers can provide some level of traffic filtering, but they primarily manage traffic between different networks rather than controlling access to specific services on a host. Cloud storage security focuses on protecting data stored in cloud environments and does not directly apply to system hardening at the host level. In summary, a host firewall is the most effective technology for enforcing a system hardening policy that restricts access to specific services on a host, making it