200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
During a network intrusion analysis, a security analyst observes repeated TCP SYN packets sent to a range of ports on a target host, each followed by an RST response. No subsequent ACK packets are observed. Which phase of the Cyber Kill Chain is the attacker most likely executing?
⚠ Common exam trap
200-201 often tests the distinction between Reconnaissance and Exploitation. Candidates may see SYN packets and think 'attack' but must recognize that incomplete handshakes with RST responses indicate scanning, not exploitation.
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
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Reconnaissance
Repeated TCP SYN packets to multiple ports followed by RST responses indicate a port scan, which is a hallmark of the Reconnaissance phase of the Cyber Kill Chain. The attacker is probing for open ports and services without completing the TCP handshake, which is typical of a SYN stealth scan. This activity occurs before any exploitation or delivery.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Reconnaissance
Why this is correct
SYN packets followed by RST responses, with no completed handshake, indicate a port scan probing which ports are open or closed. This information-gathering activity against the target host characterises the Reconnaissance phase of the Cyber Kill Chain.
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Delivery
Why it's wrong here
Delivery covers transmitting the weapon to the victim, such as email or USB transfer, not port scanning. It tempts because SYN packets are network traffic, yet the RST responses with no ACK indicate reconnaissance probing rather than payload delivery.
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Weaponization
Why it's wrong here
Weaponization is building the exploit and payload in the attacker's environment, producing no network traffic. It tempts because it precedes delivery in the kill chain, but the observed SYN scanning with RST replies is active reconnaissance, not tool creation.
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Exploitation
Why it's wrong here
Exploitation requires an actual vulnerability being leveraged after a successful connection; these SYNs are each refused with RST, so no session or payload delivery occurs. Scanning for open ports belongs to the Reconnaissance phase, where an attacker maps live services before any exploitation attempt.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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.