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200-201 Practice Question: A network analyst is troubleshooting a false…
A network analyst is troubleshooting a false positive alert from an IPS that blocks traffic to a legitimate database server. The alert signature is triggered by the pattern 'OR 1=1'. The analyst determines that the traffic is from a web application that uses dynamic SQL queries. Which action best reduces false positives while maintaining security?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'reducing false positives' and 'reducing security' — candidates mistakenly choose alert-only mode (option C) thinking it stops the blocking, but fail to realize it also stops blocking real attacks, which is not a security-maintaining action.
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
✓
Add the database server IP to an exception list
Adding the database server IP to an exception list allows the IPS to ignore traffic matching the 'OR 1=1' pattern specifically when it is destined for the legitimate database server. This preserves security by continuing to block the same pattern when it targets other servers, while eliminating the false positive caused by the web application's dynamic SQL queries. Whitelisting by destination IP is a targeted exception that does not weaken overall detection.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Increase the sensitivity of the signature
Why it's wrong here
Increasing sensitivity would cause more false positives.
- ✓
Add the database server IP to an exception list
Why this is correct
Whitelisting known good traffic reduces false positives.
- ✗
Change the signature to alert-only mode
Why it's wrong here
Alert-only stops blocking but still generates unnecessary alerts.
- ✗
Disable the signature entirely
Why it's wrong here
Disabling removes protection against real SQL injection.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.