200-201 Snort Rule Header Practice Question
A security analyst is configuring Snort IDS rules. Which TWO components are mandatory in a Snort rule header?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between mandatory header components and optional rule body options. Candidates may mistakenly select 'msg' or 'sid' as mandatory because they appear frequently, but they are not part of the header. Additionally, candidates may think that protocol is one of the two mandatory components, but the correct pair is action and direction operator.
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
✓
Action (e.g., alert, drop)
In a Snort rule header, the mandatory components are the action (e.g., alert, drop) and the direction operator (-> or <>). While protocol is also a required field, it is not considered a separate mandatory component in the context of this question; the action and direction operator are the two components that are always required in the rule header. Options like msg and sid are part of the rule body and are optional.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Message (msg) option
Why it's wrong here
The 'msg' option is part of the rule body, not the header, and is optional.
- ✓
Action (e.g., alert, drop)
Why this is correct
The action (e.g., alert, drop) is a mandatory part of the rule header.
- ✗
Signature ID (sid) option
Why it's wrong here
The signature ID (sid) is part of the rule body, not the header, and is optional.
- ✓
Direction operator (e.g., ->, <>)
Why this is correct
The direction operator (-> or <>) is a mandatory part of the rule header.
- ✗
Protocol (e.g., tcp, udp, icmp)
Why it's wrong here
Protocol is a required field in the rule header, but it is not considered a separate mandatory component in this context; the question specifically asks for two components, and the correct ones are action and direction operator.
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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.