- A
Execution of commands with sudo
Sudo allows running commands as another user, often root.
- B
Multiple failed login attempts
Why wrong: Failed logins indicate brute force, not privilege escalation.
- C
Modification of user group memberships
Adding a user to the admin group escalates privileges.
- D
User account creation with administrator privileges
Creating an admin account is a common escalation method.
- E
Successful SSH login from a remote IP
Why wrong: This indicates remote access, not necessarily escalation.
Question 128 of 1,000
200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security monitoring. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 security analyst is examining system logs for signs of privilege escalation. Which THREE events are most relevant to detect such activity?
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
✓
Execution of commands with sudo
Privilege escalation often involves account creation with elevated rights, changes to user privileges, and successful use of 'sudo' commands.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Execution of commands with sudo
Why this is correct
Sudo allows running commands as another user, often root.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Multiple failed login attempts
Why it's wrong here
Failed logins indicate brute force, not privilege escalation.
- ✓
Modification of user group memberships
Why this is correct
Adding a user to the admin group escalates privileges.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
User account creation with administrator privileges
Why this is correct
Creating an admin account is a common escalation method.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Successful SSH login from a remote IP
Why it's wrong here
This indicates remote access, not necessarily escalation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-201 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Security Monitoring — This question tests Security Monitoring — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Execution of commands with sudo — Privilege escalation often involves account creation with elevated rights, changes to user privileges, and successful use of 'sudo' commands.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-201 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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