200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
A security analyst is creating a network baseline for normal traffic patterns. Which TWO metrics should be included to detect anomalies?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between network traffic metrics and host/system metrics, so the trap here is confusing server CPU utilization (a host metric) with network baseline metrics, leading candidates to incorrectly select it as a valid network anomaly detection parameter.
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
✓
Average bandwidth usage per hour
Average bandwidth usage per hour is correct because it establishes a baseline of typical traffic volume over time, allowing the analyst to detect sudden spikes or drops that may indicate anomalies such as DDoS attacks or data exfiltration. Number of connections per host is correct because it provides a per-device baseline for connection counts, enabling detection of unusual behavior like port scans, botnet activity, or compromised hosts generating excessive outbound connections.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Average bandwidth usage per hour
Why this is correct
Bandwidth is a key metric for baselines.
- ✗
Geolocation of source IPs
Why it's wrong here
Geolocation can be part of baseline but is less common for network traffic.
- ✓
Number of connections per host
Why this is correct
Connection counts help detect scanning or DDoS.
- ✗
MAC addresses of devices
Why it's wrong here
MAC addresses are static, not traffic patterns.
- ✗
CPU utilization of servers
Why it's wrong here
CPU is a system metric, not network.
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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.