The correct answer is to restart the service on the server and submit a change request for CPU optimization. This directly addresses the immediate HIDS compliance enforcement failure—the stopped agent means the server is blind to intrusions and not sending alerts to the SIEM—while also initiating the proper approval process for a baseline deviation, as required by the security policy. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of balancing operational security with incident response procedures; a common trap is to focus solely on the technical fix (restarting the service) without recognizing the need for formal change management. Remember, compliance enforcement isn’t just about turning things back on—it’s about documenting and approving deviations. Memory tip: “Restart first, request second—compliance is a process, not a button.”
200-201 Security Policies and Procedures Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security policies and procedures. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A company's security policy requires that all servers have host-based intrusion detection (HIDS) installed and configured to send alerts to the SIEM. During a routine check, you find that a critical database server has HIDS installed but is not sending alerts because the agent service is stopped. The server administrator says he stopped the service because it was using too much CPU. The policy requires that any deviation from baseline must be approved by the security team. What should you do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Restart the service on the server and submit a change request for CPU optimization.
Option A is correct because restarting the service and submitting a change request for CPU optimization addresses the immediate non-compliance while working on a solution. Option B is too lenient; Option C is too harsh; Option D may not solve the CPU issue and bypasses approval.
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.
✓
Restart the service on the server and submit a change request for CPU optimization.
Why this is correct
This restores compliance and initiates the proper process for a permanent fix.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Accept the server administrator's justification and document it.
Why it's wrong here
This ignores the policy requirement for approval.
✗
Recommend setting the HIDS process priority to low to reduce CPU impact.
Why it's wrong here
This may compromise detection capability and still requires approval.
✗
Report the non-compliance to the security manager and disable the server until compliance is restored.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling a critical server is too extreme and unnecessary.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 practitioner preparing for the 200-201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 200-201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Security Policies and Procedures — This question tests Security Policies and Procedures — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Restart the service on the server and submit a change request for CPU optimization. — Option A is correct because restarting the service and submitting a change request for CPU optimization addresses the immediate non-compliance while working on a solution. Option B is too lenient; Option C is too harsh; Option D may not solve the CPU issue and bypasses approval.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which 200-201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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