- A
Reconnaissance
Port scanning is a reconnaissance technique to identify vulnerabilities.
- B
Weaponisation
Why wrong: Weaponisation involves coupling exploit code with a delivery mechanism, not scanning.
- C
Exploitation
Why wrong: Exploitation occurs after delivery and involves triggering the exploit.
- D
Delivery
Why wrong: Delivery is the transmission of the weapon to the target, not scanning.
Question 365 of 1,000
200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of network intrusion analysis. 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 observes a large number of SYN packets sent to various ports on a target host, receiving RST responses for closed ports and no response for open ports. Which phase of the Cyber Kill Chain does this activity represent?
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
✓
Reconnaissance
The observed behavior—sending a large number of SYN packets to various ports and analyzing RST responses (closed ports) versus no response (open ports)—is a classic port scan, specifically a SYN scan. This activity maps the target's attack surface by identifying live hosts and open ports, which aligns with the Reconnaissance phase of the Cyber Kill Chain, where the adversary gathers information to plan an attack.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Reconnaissance
Why this is correct
Port scanning is a reconnaissance technique to identify vulnerabilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Weaponisation
Why it's wrong here
Weaponisation involves coupling exploit code with a delivery mechanism, not scanning.
- ✗
Exploitation
Why it's wrong here
Exploitation occurs after delivery and involves triggering the exploit.
- ✗
Delivery
Why it's wrong here
Delivery is the transmission of the weapon to the target, not scanning.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between Reconnaissance and Weaponisation, where candidates mistakenly think that sending crafted packets (SYN) is part of weaponisation, but weaponisation specifically involves creating the exploit or payload, not the scanning activity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A SYN scan (half-open scan) sends a TCP SYN packet to each port; if the port is closed, the target responds with an RST packet per RFC 793, while an open port responds with a SYN-ACK, which the scanner then terminates with an RST to avoid completing the three-way handshake. In this scenario, the lack of response for open ports suggests the target may be using a firewall or IDS that drops SYN packets to stealthy ports, or the scanner is configured to ignore SYN-ACKs, but the core technique remains reconnaissance. Real-world tools like Nmap use this method to evade application-level logging while mapping network services.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Network Intrusion Analysis — This question tests Network Intrusion Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Reconnaissance — The observed behavior—sending a large number of SYN packets to various ports and analyzing RST responses (closed ports) versus no response (open ports)—is a classic port scan, specifically a SYN scan. This activity maps the target's attack surface by identifying live hosts and open ports, which aligns with the Reconnaissance phase of the Cyber Kill Chain, where the adversary gathers information to plan an attack.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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