- A
Web server logs
Why wrong: Web server logs show HTTP activity, not DNS.
- B
Firewall logs
Why wrong: Firewall logs show allowed/denied traffic but not DNS query details.
- C
DNS logs
DNS logs show query types, domains, and responses, ideal for detecting exfiltration.
- D
IDS/IPS alerts
Why wrong: IDS/IPS may detect but not provide full query details.
Question 670 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 suspects data exfiltration via DNS. Which log type would provide the most relevant information to confirm this?
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
✓
DNS logs
DNS logs capture all DNS queries and responses, including the domain names being resolved. Data exfiltration via DNS often involves encoding stolen data into DNS queries (e.g., subdomains of a controlled domain). By examining DNS logs for unusual query patterns, high query volumes, or long, random-looking subdomains, an analyst can directly confirm exfiltration activity.
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.
- ✗
Web server logs
- ✗
Firewall logs
- ✓
DNS logs
Why this is correct
DNS logs show query types, domains, and responses, ideal for detecting exfiltration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
IDS/IPS alerts
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between logs that record metadata (firewall logs) versus logs that record application-layer payloads (DNS logs), leading candidates to mistakenly choose firewall logs because they think 'all traffic passes through the firewall'.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Web server logs show HTTP activity, not DNS.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DNS exfiltration typically uses TXT records or subdomain queries to encode data, as defined in RFC 1035. Tools like dnscat2 or iodine create a covert channel by embedding data in DNS query names, which are then resolved by a malicious authoritative server. Analyzing DNS logs for high entropy in query names, unusual TTL values, or excessive NXDOMAIN responses can reveal such tunnels, as legitimate DNS traffic rarely exhibits these patterns.
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: DNS logs — DNS logs capture all DNS queries and responses, including the domain names being resolved. Data exfiltration via DNS often involves encoding stolen data into DNS queries (e.g., subdomains of a controlled domain). By examining DNS logs for unusual query patterns, high query volumes, or long, random-looking subdomains, an analyst can directly confirm exfiltration activity.
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.
About these practice questions
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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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