This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. 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 small retail company uses a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system. The IT manager receives an alert from the cloud provider that the POS application is generating an unusually high number of outbound connections to an IP address in a foreign country. The POS application is only supposed to communicate with the cloud provider's servers in the United States. The IT manager checks the POS terminal logs and finds that a new user account was created locally on the terminal with administrative privileges two days ago. The terminal does not have antivirus installed. What should the IT manager do first to contain the incident and prevent data loss?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Disconnect the POS terminal from the network immediately.
Disconnecting the POS terminal from the network immediately halts the suspected data exfiltration and prevents further loss.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Reset the password for the new user account and disable it.
Why it's wrong here
While this addresses the account, it does not stop the already established connections that are exfiltrating data.
✗
Install antivirus software on the terminal and run a full scan.
Why it's wrong here
Installing antivirus takes time and does not immediately contain the active data transfer.
✗
Contact the cloud provider to block the outbound IP address.
Why it's wrong here
Blocking the IP may stop the current connection, but it is slower than local disconnection and may not address the compromised terminal.
✓
Disconnect the POS terminal from the network immediately.
Why this is correct
This is the fastest way to stop the outbound connections and prevent further data exfiltration.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-201 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Disconnect the POS terminal from the network immediately. — Disconnecting the POS terminal from the network immediately halts the suspected data exfiltration and prevents further loss.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-201 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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