Which best describes IP whitelisting in Snowflake context?

• A. Network policies for granting or restricting access based on IP address.
• B. A method for encrypting stored data.
• C. A feature for user role assignment.
• D. A mechanism for load balancing queries.

Answer: (A)

IP whitelisting in Snowflake is an access-control approach that restricts connections to only those coming from predefined IP addresses or ranges. This is implemented through network policies (IP allowlists) where you specify the allowed addresses. When a client tries to connect, Snowflake checks the source IP against the policy and only permits the session if it’s on the approved list and the user is otherwise authorized. It’s not about encryption, user role assignment, or load balancing; it’s about controlling who can reach Snowflake based on where the connection originates. This practice is often used with firewalls, VPNs, or private network integration to strengthen perimeter security.