SCS-C02 Security Logging and Monitoring Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security logging and monitoring. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Refer to the exhibit. A security analyst is reviewing a VPC Flow Log entry. The analyst wants to determine if this flow represents a potentially malicious RDP connection. Based on the log, which conclusion is most accurate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The connection is likely an RDP connection disguised to evade detection.
The VPC Flow Log entry shows destination port 443 (HTTPS) and a TCP SYN flag (12), but the source port is 3389, which is the default port for RDP. This mismatch—RDP source port with HTTPS destination port—indicates the traffic is likely RDP traffic disguised as HTTPS to evade detection, as RDP typically uses port 3389 for both source and destination. The 'ACCEPT' field confirms the connection was allowed, so it is a potentially malicious RDP connection.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The connection is normal HTTPS traffic destined for the instance.
The ACCEPT field indicates the traffic was allowed.
✗
The connection represents outbound traffic from the instance.
Why it's wrong here
The source IP is public, indicating inbound traffic.
✓
The connection is likely an RDP connection disguised to evade detection.
Why this is correct
Using port 443 as source for RDP is suspicious.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates focus solely on the destination port (443) and assume it is HTTPS traffic, ignoring the anomalous source port (3389) which reveals the true nature of the connection as RDP.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VPC Flow Logs capture metadata about network traffic, including source and destination ports, protocol, and TCP flags. In this case, the TCP flags field shows '12', which is the decimal representation of the SYN-ACK flag (binary 00010010), indicating the second step of a TCP three-way handshake. RDP (port 3389) is often targeted by attackers who may use non-standard source ports to blend in with legitimate traffic, but the source port 3389 is a strong indicator of RDP activity, as RDP clients typically use ephemeral source ports, not the RDP service port.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security Logging and Monitoring — This question tests Security Logging and Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The connection is likely an RDP connection disguised to evade detection. — The VPC Flow Log entry shows destination port 443 (HTTPS) and a TCP SYN flag (12), but the source port is 3389, which is the default port for RDP. This mismatch—RDP source port with HTTPS destination port—indicates the traffic is likely RDP traffic disguised as HTTPS to evade detection, as RDP typically uses port 3389 for both source and destination. The 'ACCEPT' field confirms the connection was allowed, so it is a potentially malicious RDP connection.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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