- A
Domain name used in the communication
Domains are common IoCs.
- B
Email address of the user
Why wrong: Email addresses are more for phishing IoCs, not network comm.
- C
IP address of the external server
IP addresses are typical IoCs.
- D
MD5 hash of a downloaded file
File hashes identify malicious files.
- E
Registry key from the endpoint
Why wrong: Registry keys are host-based, not network IoCs.
Question 5 of 1,000
200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security monitoring. 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.
An analyst detects an internal host communicating with an external IP known for malware distribution. Which THREE of the following are valid Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) that should be recorded?
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
✓
Domain name used in the communication
Option A is correct because the domain name used in the communication is a classic Indicator of Compromise (IoC). When an internal host contacts an external IP known for malware distribution, the domain name (e.g., via DNS query) provides a persistent, human-readable identifier that can be used to block or investigate the threat, even if the IP address changes. This aligns with the NIST definition of IoCs as forensic evidence of a potential intrusion.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Domain name used in the communication
Why this is correct
Domains are common IoCs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Email address of the user
Why it's wrong here
Email addresses are more for phishing IoCs, not network comm.
- ✓
IP address of the external server
Why this is correct
IP addresses are typical IoCs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
MD5 hash of a downloaded file
Why this is correct
File hashes identify malicious files.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Registry key from the endpoint
Why it's wrong here
Registry keys are host-based, not network IoCs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between direct network-based IoCs (domain, IP, file hash) and host-based artifacts (registry keys, user email) that may require additional correlation to be considered valid IoCs for a specific event.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) are pieces of forensic data that identify potentially malicious activity on a system or network. In this scenario, the domain name (A) is often logged via DNS query logs (e.g., Windows DNS Client logs or network flow data), the external IP (C) is captured in firewall or netflow logs, and the MD5 hash (D) is a cryptographic hash of a file that can be used to uniquely identify malware samples via threat intelligence feeds. These three are directly observable from the described communication event, whereas the email address and registry key require additional context or post-compromise analysis.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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.
Visual reference
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Security Monitoring — This question tests Security Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Domain name used in the communication — Option A is correct because the domain name used in the communication is a classic Indicator of Compromise (IoC). When an internal host contacts an external IP known for malware distribution, the domain name (e.g., via DNS query) provides a persistent, human-readable identifier that can be used to block or investigate the threat, even if the IP address changes. This aligns with the NIST definition of IoCs as forensic evidence of a potential intrusion.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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