easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
200-201 Phishing Practice Question
A small business uses a cloud-based email service. The IT administrator wants to protect against phishing attacks that target employees. Which security control should be implemented first?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often think technical controls like WAF are the first step, but phishing relies on social engineering, so user training is the most effective initial control.
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
✓
Conduct weekly security awareness training
Security awareness training is the most important first control against phishing because it educates users to recognize and avoid phishing attempts, reducing the likelihood of successful attacks. While MFA and antivirus are valuable, training addresses the human element directly. A WAF protects web applications, not email, and is not a first-line defense for phishing targeting cloud email.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Conduct weekly security awareness training
Why this is correct
Security awareness training is the first and most effective control against phishing because it directly addresses the human vulnerability that phishing attacks exploit. It empowers users to identify and report suspicious emails, reducing the likelihood of successful attacks.
- ✗
Install antivirus software on all endpoints
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus software protects against malware but does not prevent phishing emails from reaching users. It is a secondary defense that may block malicious attachments, but it is not the first control to implement.
- ✗
Deploy a web application firewall (WAF)
Why it's wrong here
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) protects web applications from HTTP-based attacks, not email services. It does not filter phishing emails and is not an appropriate first control for this scenario.
- ✗
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on email accounts
Why it's wrong here
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a layer of security to email accounts, but it does not prevent users from being tricked by phishing attempts. Training should come first to reduce the risk of credential compromise.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.