- A
User name
Why wrong: User names are not typically used as IoCs.
- B
IP address
IP addresses of C2 servers are common IoCs.
- C
Geographic location
Why wrong: Location is not an IoC.
- D
File hash (MD5)
File hashes are used to identify malware.
- E
Protocol name
Why wrong: Protocol names are too generic to be IoCs.
Question 965 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 is investigating a potential compromise using Indicators of Compromise (IoCs). Which TWO of the following are valid types of IoCs?
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
✓
IP address
IP addresses are a fundamental type of Indicator of Compromise (IoC) because they directly identify the network location of a malicious host, such as a command-and-control (C2) server or a source of an attack. Security analysts use IP addresses in threat intelligence feeds and SIEM queries to correlate logs and detect inbound or outbound connections to known malicious hosts.
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.
- ✗
User name
Why it's wrong here
User names are not typically used as IoCs.
- ✓
IP address
Why this is correct
IP addresses of C2 servers are common IoCs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Geographic location
Why it's wrong here
Location is not an IoC.
- ✓
File hash (MD5)
Why this is correct
File hashes are used to identify malware.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Protocol name
Why it's wrong here
Protocol names are too generic to be IoCs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between an IoC (a specific, observable artifact of compromise) and contextual or behavioral data (like usernames or geographic locations) that may be useful in an investigation but are not valid IoCs themselves.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
IP addresses as IoCs are often used in conjunction with other indicators like domain names or file hashes to build a threat profile. For example, a single IP may host multiple malicious domains, and analysts use passive DNS (pDNS) to pivot from an IP to associated domains. File hashes (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256) are cryptographic fingerprints of a file's exact binary content, making them highly specific for identifying known malware samples; however, MD5 is considered weak against collision attacks, so modern practice favors SHA-256 for integrity verification.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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: IP address — IP addresses are a fundamental type of Indicator of Compromise (IoC) because they directly identify the network location of a malicious host, such as a command-and-control (C2) server or a source of an attack. Security analysts use IP addresses in threat intelligence feeds and SIEM queries to correlate logs and detect inbound or outbound connections to known malicious hosts.
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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