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200-201 Practice Question: A SOC analyst is monitoring network traffic using…
A SOC analyst is monitoring network traffic using Cisco Stealthwatch. An alert is generated indicating a large volume of data being transferred from a critical server to an external IP address during off-hours. The analyst observes that the data transfer is using encrypted HTTPS traffic to a cloud storage provider. The server is known to host sensitive customer data. The analyst reviews the server's outbound firewall rules and finds that HTTPS traffic to any destination is allowed. The analyst checks the server's recent login logs and sees an authentication from a user account that is typically used by a contractor who only works during business hours. The contractor's account has not been disabled after the contract ended last week. What should the analyst do first?
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
✓
Investigate the alert further by checking the server for any signs of malware or unauthorized access, and then escalate to the incident response team.
The correct first step is to investigate the alert further to confirm whether it is a genuine security incident. Option C is correct because it follows established incident response procedures: gather more evidence (e.g., check for malware, unauthorized access) before taking containment or eradication actions. Prematurely blocking the IP (A) could disrupt legitimate business operations if the transfer is authorized. Disabling the account (B) is a valid remediation step but should occur after confirming the incident and as part of a coordinated response. Ignoring the alert (D) is dangerous because encryption does not automatically indicate benign activity; exfiltration often uses HTTPS to evade detection.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Ignore the alert because the traffic is encrypted and cannot be inspected.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption does not indicate safe traffic. Many exfiltration techniques use HTTPS to blend in with legitimate traffic. Ignoring the alert would violate security monitoring best practices and potentially allow a data breach to continue.
- ✗
Immediately block the external IP address at the firewall to stop the data transfer.
Why it's wrong here
While blocking the IP may stop the current transfer, it is a reactive measure that should be taken only after confirming malicious intent. The transfer could be legitimate (e.g., backup), and blocking without verification could impact business operations and alert the attacker prematurely.
- ✓
Investigate the alert further by checking the server for any signs of malware or unauthorized access, and then escalate to the incident response team.
Why this is correct
This is the correct first action. The analyst should collect additional evidence (e.g., process lists, network connections, file system changes) to confirm the incident. Only after validation should escalation and containment occur, following the incident response plan.
- ✗
Disable the contractor's user account and notify the IT manager.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the account is an important step, but it should come after confirming the incident. The analyst has not yet verified that the contractor's account was used maliciously or that the data transfer is unauthorized. Acting on suspicion alone may be premature.
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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.