Quick Answer
The answer is Audit File System. This policy is the correct choice because it specifically enables auditing of file creation, modification, and deletion events on NTFS volumes, logging them to the Windows Security log with Event ID 4663 without requiring any third-party software. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your understanding of native Windows auditing capabilities versus installing additional tools, often appearing in scenarios where an analyst must monitor specific object access events. A common trap is confusing Audit File System with Audit Process Creation or Audit Logon, which track different activities entirely. Remember the memory tip: if you need to catch a file being born, think "File System" for the creation horn.
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of host-based analysis. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 wants to monitor file creation events on a critical Windows server without installing additional software. Which Windows audit policy should be configured?
Audit Detailed Tracking
Why wrong: Detailed Tracking logs process activity and Plug and Play events, not file creation.
Audit File System
Audit File System logs file system operations like create, write, delete.
Audit Account Logon
Why wrong: This logs logon events, not file events.
Audit Process Creation
Why wrong: This logs process creation, not file creation.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Audit File System
Audit File System policy is the correct choice because it specifically enables auditing of file creation, modification, and deletion events on NTFS volumes. By configuring this policy under Advanced Audit Policy in Windows, the security analyst can monitor file creation events on the critical server without requiring any third-party software, as the events are logged to the Windows Security log with Event ID 4663.
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.
Audit Detailed Tracking
Why it's wrong here
Detailed Tracking logs process activity and Plug and Play events, not file creation.
Audit File System
Why this is correct
Audit File System logs file system operations like create, write, delete.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Audit Account Logon
Why it's wrong here
This logs logon events, not file events.
Audit Process Creation
Why it's wrong here
This logs process creation, not file creation.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'Audit File System' (file-level operations) and 'Audit Detailed Tracking' (process-level operations), causing candidates to confuse file creation with process creation events.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the Audit File System policy relies on the system access control list (SACL) of the target file or folder; the SACL must be configured with an auditing entry for 'Create Files / Write Data' to generate Event ID 4663. In a real-world scenario, an analyst might enable this policy on a folder containing sensitive configuration files to detect unauthorized creation of scripts or executables, but must be cautious about log volume—high-write directories can flood the Security log with thousands of events per minute.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Host-Based Analysis — This question tests Host-Based Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Audit File System — Audit File System policy is the correct choice because it specifically enables auditing of file creation, modification, and deletion events on NTFS volumes. By configuring this policy under Advanced Audit Policy in Windows, the security analyst can monitor file creation events on the critical server without requiring any third-party software, as the events are logged to the Windows Security log with Event ID 4663.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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