Quick Answer
The correct answer is confidentiality, as the scenario describes unauthorized access to sensitive data, which directly violates the principle of keeping information hidden from those who lack permission. In the CIA Triad, confidentiality ensures that data is accessible only to authorized users, so when a user’s account is used outside normal hours to view sensitive material, the core breach is that the data’s secrecy was compromised—not that it was altered or made unavailable. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish confidentiality from integrity, availability, and non-repudiation, a common trap being to confuse unauthorized access with integrity violations. A frequent memory tip is to think of confidentiality as the “lock on the door”—if someone gets in who shouldn’t, it’s a confidentiality violation, regardless of whether they change anything. Remember: confidentiality is about who sees it, integrity is about who changes it, and availability is about who can reach it.
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. 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.
A security analyst notices that a user's account has been used to access sensitive data outside of normal working hours. Which security concept is being violated?
Non-repudiation
Why wrong: Non-repudiation provides proof of origin or delivery, not access control.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality protects data from unauthorized access, which is the issue.
Availability
Why wrong: Availability ensures data is accessible when needed, not relevant here.
Integrity
Why wrong: Integrity protects data from unauthorized modification, not unauthorized access.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Confidentiality
Option C is correct because confidential data was accessed by an unauthorized user, violating confidentiality. Option A is incorrect because availability refers to uptime, not data protection. Option B is incorrect because integrity ensures data is not altered, not that access is prevented. Option D is incorrect because non-repudiation deals with proof of action, not access control.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Non-repudiation
Why it's wrong here
Non-repudiation provides proof of origin or delivery, not access control.
Confidentiality
Why this is correct
Confidentiality protects data from unauthorized access, which is the issue.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Availability
Why it's wrong here
Availability ensures data is accessible when needed, not relevant here.
Integrity
Why it's wrong here
Integrity protects data from unauthorized modification, not unauthorized access.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which 200-201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Security Concepts — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Security Concepts practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All 200-201 questions
507 questions across all exam domains
Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
200-201 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Security Policies and Procedures.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Security Concepts.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Security Monitoring.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Host-Based Analysis.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Network Intrusion Analysis.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to 200-201 fundamentals.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to 200-201 scenario.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to 200-201 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Confidentiality — Option C is correct because confidential data was accessed by an unauthorized user, violating confidentiality. Option A is incorrect because availability refers to uptime, not data protection. Option B is incorrect because integrity ensures data is not altered, not that access is prevented. Option D is incorrect because non-repudiation deals with proof of action, not access control.
Identify which 200-201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.