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 organization uses Cisco AMP for Endpoints. A file with a low prevalence score is executed on multiple endpoints, and AMP identifies it as malicious after behavioral analysis. The analyst needs to ensure that all endpoints are protected from this file. Which action should be taken?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a custom IOC for the file hash and apply it to an outbreak policy.
Creating a custom IOC for the file hash and applying it to an outbreak policy is correct because Cisco AMP for Endpoints uses outbreak policies to rapidly deploy protections across all endpoints. Once behavioral analysis identifies the file as malicious, the IOC (based on the file's SHA-256 hash) can be pushed via an outbreak policy to block execution, quarantine, or remediate the file on every endpoint, regardless of prior prevalence. This ensures immediate, global protection without waiting for cloud signature updates.
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.
✓
Create a custom IOC for the file hash and apply it to an outbreak policy.
Why this is correct
Outbreak policy blocks the file across all endpoints.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Isolate all endpoints that executed the file.
Why it's wrong here
Isolation doesn't prevent other endpoints from executing.
✗
Disable cloud connectivity for AMP to prevent recurrence.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling cloud reduces protection.
✗
Run a scan on each endpoint using the local AMP engine.
Why it's wrong here
Scans may not block future execution.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between reactive containment (isolation) and proactive prevention (outbreak policies), leading candidates to choose isolation because it seems immediate, but the question asks for ensuring all endpoints are protected, which requires a policy-based push, not just isolating affected systems.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cisco AMP's outbreak policy leverages the cloud to distribute custom IOCs (e.g., SHA-256 hashes, file paths, or registry keys) to all connected endpoints within minutes, overriding local prevalence scores. This is distinct from traditional signature updates because it uses the AMP for Endpoints connector's telemetry channel (port 443/TLS) to push the IOC as a 'simple custom detection' that can trigger actions like quarantine or block, even if the file's prevalence was low. In a real-world scenario, this is critical for zero-day malware where behavioral analysis (e.g., from AMP's Threat Grid integration) identifies a threat before signatures are widely available.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Create a custom IOC for the file hash and apply it to an outbreak policy. — Creating a custom IOC for the file hash and applying it to an outbreak policy is correct because Cisco AMP for Endpoints uses outbreak policies to rapidly deploy protections across all endpoints. Once behavioral analysis identifies the file as malicious, the IOC (based on the file's SHA-256 hash) can be pushed via an outbreak policy to block execution, quarantine, or remediate the file on every endpoint, regardless of prior prevalence. This ensures immediate, global protection without waiting for cloud signature updates.
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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Question Discussion
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