- A
Allow the traffic because it is a legitimate database query
Why wrong: Databases should not be exposed to internet.
- B
Ignore the alert as it is a false positive
Why wrong: Inbound MySQL from external is suspicious.
- C
Disable the signature to reduce noise
Why wrong: Disabling signatures reduces visibility.
- D
Block the external IP at the firewall
Blocking the source IP stops potential attack.
Question 959 of 1,000
200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security monitoring. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 reviewing IDS alerts and sees an alert with signature name 'ET POLICY Suspicious inbound to MySQL port 3306'. The source IP is external and destination is an internal database server. What is the best immediate action?
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
✓
Block the external IP at the firewall
Option D is correct because an inbound connection from an external IP to a MySQL server (port 3306) is highly suspicious — MySQL is a database service that should never be exposed directly to the internet. The immediate best action is to block the external IP at the firewall to prevent potential exploitation, data exfiltration, or brute-force attacks. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and defense-in-depth, as database servers should only accept connections from trusted internal 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.
- ✗
Allow the traffic because it is a legitimate database query
Why it's wrong here
Databases should not be exposed to internet.
- ✗
Ignore the alert as it is a false positive
Why it's wrong here
Inbound MySQL from external is suspicious.
- ✗
Disable the signature to reduce noise
Why it's wrong here
Disabling signatures reduces visibility.
- ✓
Block the external IP at the firewall
Why this is correct
Blocking the source IP stops potential attack.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that IDS alerts should be analyzed for false positives before taking action, but in this scenario, the immediate risk of an external connection to a database port demands a blocking response first, with analysis to follow.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
MySQL port 3306 is a common target for automated scanners and brute-force attacks (e.g., using tools like Hydra or Medusa). In a properly segmented network, database servers should reside in a private subnet with no direct internet access; any external SYN packet to port 3306 should trigger an alert and be blocked at the perimeter firewall or via an ACL. The signature 'ET POLICY Suspicious inbound to MySQL port 3306' from Emerging Threats (ET) is designed to detect exactly this kind of policy violation, and ignoring it could lead to a successful compromise, such as the 2017 Equifax breach where an unpatched database was exposed.
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 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.
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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: Block the external IP at the firewall — Option D is correct because an inbound connection from an external IP to a MySQL server (port 3306) is highly suspicious — MySQL is a database service that should never be exposed directly to the internet. The immediate best action is to block the external IP at the firewall to prevent potential exploitation, data exfiltration, or brute-force attacks. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and defense-in-depth, as database servers should only accept connections from trusted internal 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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