Quick Answer
The correct first action is to disable the unauthorized device’s network access immediately. This step contains the threat by cutting off the device’s ability to communicate, preventing potential data exfiltration or malware spread, and directly enforces the security policy’s access control mandate—often implemented through 802.1X or Network Access Control (NAC) at the switch level. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of incident response containment and the principle of least privilege; a common trap is choosing to “investigate further” first, which wastes critical time while the unauthorized network device action continues. Remember, in any unauthorized device detection event, containment always precedes investigation. Memory tip: “Cut first, ask later.”
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security policies and procedures. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 notices that an employee is accessing the corporate network from an unauthorized device. According to the security policy, which action should the analyst take first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Report the employee to human resources for disciplinary action
Why wrong: HR involvement may come after containment.
Ignore the incident because it is a minor violation
Why wrong: All violations should be addressed per policy.
Disable the device's network access immediately
Immediate containment is a typical first step.
Update the security policy to allow personal devices
Why wrong: Policy changes are not an immediate response.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Disable the device's network access immediately
Option C is correct because the immediate priority when an unauthorized device is detected on the corporate network is to contain the threat by disabling network access. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and incident response procedures, where the first step is to stop the unauthorized access to prevent potential data breaches or malware propagation. The security policy typically mandates such immediate action to enforce access control, often implemented via 802.1X or MAC address filtering at the switch or NAC (Network Access Control) level.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Report the employee to human resources for disciplinary action
Why it's wrong here
HR involvement may come after containment.
Ignore the incident because it is a minor violation
Why it's wrong here
All violations should be addressed per policy.
Disable the device's network access immediately
Why this is correct
Immediate containment is a typical first step.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Update the security policy to allow personal devices
Why it's wrong here
Policy changes are not an immediate response.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between immediate containment actions (like disabling network access) versus long-term administrative or policy changes, trapping candidates who confuse incident response phases or prioritize HR reporting over security controls.
Detailed technical explanation
In practice, disabling network access can be achieved by dynamically revoking the device's 802.1X authentication or placing the switch port into a quarantine VLAN via a NAC solution like Cisco ISE. This action ensures the device is isolated from sensitive resources while the incident is investigated, following the NIST SP 800-61 incident response lifecycle's containment phase. A subtle behavior is that simply disabling the port may not prevent the device from reconnecting via wireless, so the analyst should also check for any associated wireless sessions and revoke them via the WLC.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Security Policies and Procedures — This question tests Security Policies and Procedures — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Disable the device's network access immediately — Option C is correct because the immediate priority when an unauthorized device is detected on the corporate network is to contain the threat by disabling network access. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and incident response procedures, where the first step is to stop the unauthorized access to prevent potential data breaches or malware propagation. The security policy typically mandates such immediate action to enforce access control, often implemented via 802.1X or MAC address filtering at the switch or NAC (Network Access Control) level.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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