Question 42 of 1,000

Security Monitoring →mediumMultiple SelectObjective-mapped

200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question

This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security monitoring. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 investigating a potential brute-force attack on an SSH server. Which TWO of the following log sources would provide the most relevant evidence for detecting and confirming this attack? (Choose two.)

A
IDS/IPS alerts (signature name, severity)
Why wrong: IDS/IPS may have signatures for brute-force but are not the most direct log source; system logs are more definitive.
B
System logs (authentication events)
System logs record each login attempt (success/failure) and are critical for identifying brute-force patterns.
C
Firewall logs (allow/deny by source IP/port)
Firewall logs show traffic to port 22 and can identify the source IP(s) making multiple connection attempts.
D
Web server logs (HTTP method, URL, response code)
Why wrong: Web server logs are for HTTP/HTTPS traffic, not SSH.
E
DNS logs (query type, domain queried)
Why wrong: DNS logs are not directly relevant to SSH brute-force attacks.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

System logs (authentication events)

System logs contain authentication events (success/failure) which are essential to detect repeated failed SSH logins. Firewall logs show source IPs and ports being accessed (SSH port 22), which can identify the attacking IP. IDS/IPS alerts might detect brute-force patterns but are not the primary source; DNS logs and web server logs are irrelevant to SSH brute-force.

Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
IDS/IPS alerts (signature name, severity)
Why it's wrong here
IDS/IPS may have signatures for brute-force but are not the most direct log source; system logs are more definitive.
✓
System logs (authentication events)
Why this is correct
System logs record each login attempt (success/failure) and are critical for identifying brute-force patterns.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✓
Firewall logs (allow/deny by source IP/port)
Why this is correct
Firewall logs show traffic to port 22 and can identify the source IP(s) making multiple connection attempts.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Web server logs (HTTP method, URL, response code)
Why it's wrong here
Web server logs are for HTTP/HTTPS traffic, not SSH.
✗
DNS logs (query type, domain queried)
Why it's wrong here
DNS logs are not directly relevant to SSH brute-force attacks.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match

ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.

TExam Day Tips

Check inbound versus outbound direction.
Read the ACL from top to bottom.
Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.

Key takeaway

ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related 200-201 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 200-201 question test?

Security Monitoring — This question tests Security Monitoring — Standard ACLs match source addresses..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: System logs (authentication events) — System logs contain authentication events (success/failure) which are essential to detect repeated failed SSH logins. Firewall logs show source IPs and ports being accessed (SSH port 22), which can identify the attacking IP. IDS/IPS alerts might detect brute-force patterns but are not the primary source; DNS logs and web server logs are irrelevant to SSH brute-force.

What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?

What is the key concept behind this question?

Standard ACLs match source addresses.

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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026

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