200-201 Security Policies and Procedures Practice Question
A SOC Tier 1 analyst is processing alerts. Which THREE tasks are typical for a Tier 1 analyst? (Select three.)
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
✓
Execute basic investigation using standard tools
Option C is correct because Tier 1 analysts perform basic investigations with standard tools such as SIEM queries, log review, and endpoint/EDR lookups to validate alerts before escalation. Option D is correct because continuous monitoring of alerts and events from sources like SIEM, IDS/IPS, and EDR is a core Tier 1 responsibility. Option E is correct because initial triage and categorization—confirming true/false positive, assigning severity, and routing to the right queue—is exactly the Tier 1 role. Option A does not belong because deep malware analysis (reverse engineering, sandboxing, code disassembly) is typically Tier 2/Tier 3 or a dedicated malware analyst function. Option B does not belong because developing new detection signatures or rules is an engineering/detection-content task, not a Tier 1 monitoring and triage duty.
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 deep malware analysis
Why it's wrong here
Deep malware analysis is a Tier 2 or Tier 3 responsibility involving reverse engineering and sandbox tooling. Tier 1 performs initial triage, enrichment and escalation. It is tempting because Tier 1 analysts examine suspicious files, but full behavioural analysis demands specialist skills and isolated environments beyond first-line scope.
- ✗
Develop new detection signatures
Why it's wrong here
Signature development belongs to Tier 2 or detection engineering, who own rule creation and tuning. Tier 1 triages, validates and escalates alerts using existing detections. It is tempting because Tier 1 analysts see alert gaps daily, but authoring signatures requires tooling access and testing authority outside their remit.
- ✓
Execute basic investigation using standard tools
Why this is correct
Tier 1 performs basic investigation with standard tooling such as SIEM queries and signature lookups, gathering enough evidence to confirm or dismiss an alert before escalating. Deeper forensics and remediation remain Tier 2 or Tier 3 responsibilities.
- ✓
Monitor alerts and events
Why this is correct
Continuous monitoring of alerts and events is the core Tier 1 function, watching the SIEM queue and consoles for triggered detections. This satisfies the scenario's requirement that the analyst processes incoming alerts rather than performing engineering or threat hunting.
- ✓
Perform initial triage and categorization
Why this is correct
Initial triage and categorisation is Tier 1 work: validating the alert, assigning severity and classifying the incident type so it routes correctly. This satisfies the scenario's requirement to process alerts before escalation to Tier 2.
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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.