Certified Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Professional (CCP) Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes an objective of managing external connections?

1. Maximizing system performance

2. Controlling access pathways for system integrity

3. Allowing free access to all external systems

4. Eliminating all third-party vendors

The correct answer is: Controlling access pathways for system integrity

Managing external connections primarily focuses on controlling access pathways to ensure system integrity. This objective is crucial in the context of cybersecurity, as external connections can introduce vulnerabilities and risks if they are not properly managed. By controlling these pathways, organizations can effectively monitor and restrict what external entities can access, thereby reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access, data breaches, or system exploitation. This control is essential for maintaining a secure environment. It allows organizations to enforce policies and procedures that dictate who can connect to their systems and how, ensuring that only trusted and necessary external interactions occur. This management encompasses assessing the security measures of external partners, implementing protocols for secure communication, and continuously monitoring these access points to detect any potential threats. In contrast, maximizing system performance would focus on aspects like speed and efficiency rather than security. Allowing unrestricted access to all external systems inherently increases risk and creates significant vulnerabilities. Eliminating all third-party vendors might seem like a way to enhance security, but in practice, it is often impractical and can hinder necessary business functions that rely on external partnerships. Hence, the objective of controlling access pathways aligns with the fundamental principles of safeguarding information systems and mitigating potential threats.