200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
A junior analyst is asked to identify which type of log would best show whether a Windows workstation attempted to authenticate to a file share on another server. Which log source should the analyst consult?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that firewall logs showing allowed SMB traffic prove an authentication attempt, when they only show that a connection was permitted.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Windows Security event log on the workstation, looking for logon events.
Windows Security event logs on the workstation capture logon events, including network logons to remote shares. Events like 4624 with logon type 3 show that an account authenticated over the network. This is the most direct evidence of an authentication attempt to a file share.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DHCP server logs showing IP address leases.
Why it's wrong here
DHCP logs record IP address assignments and lease renewals. While they can help map an IP to a MAC address, they do not show authentication attempts or file share access. They would not answer whether the workstation tried to authenticate to a server share.
- ✓
Windows Security event log on the workstation, looking for logon events.
Why this is correct
Windows Security event logs record logon and authentication events, including network logons to remote shares. On the workstation, events such as 4624 with logon type 3 indicate a network logon to a server share. This log source directly shows the authentication attempt and its outcome, making it the most relevant place to check.
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Firewall logs showing allowed outbound TCP port 445 traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Firewall logs can show that SMB traffic was allowed, but they do not reveal authentication success or failure. A permitted connection does not confirm that a logon was attempted or which account was used. Authentication details live in the endpoint's security log, not in firewall connection records.
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Syslog from the core switch showing interface status changes.
Why it's wrong here
Switch syslog messages about interface status relate to physical link state, not authentication to file shares. They would not contain user or logon information, so they cannot confirm whether the workstation attempted to authenticate to a remote server. This log type is irrelevant to the question.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.