iSACA Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a component of a Local Area Network (LAN)?

1. Routers

2. Firewalls

3. Switches

4. Bridges

The correct answer is: Firewalls

Firewalls are primarily used for network security rather than as a component of a Local Area Network (LAN). In a LAN environment, the focus is on facilitating communication within a confined geographical area, such as a home, office, or building. Routers, switches, and bridges are all integral components of a LAN. Routers are used to connect multiple networks and direct traffic between them, while switches operate within a LAN to connect devices, enabling them to communicate directly with one another efficiently. Bridges connect two or more LAN segments, allowing devices on different segments to communicate as if they were on the same network. In contrast, firewalls serve a distinct purpose of monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. While they might be implemented in an overall network architecture that includes a LAN, they do not function as a core component of the LAN infrastructure itself.