200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
During a security assessment, an analyst uses the Shodan search engine to find exposed industrial control systems. Which phase of the attack lifecycle does this activity represent?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is confusing reconnaissance with exploitation because Shodan 'finds vulnerable systems' — candidates assume finding equals exploiting, but Shodan performs no exploitation; it only indexes publicly available banner data, which is pure reconnaissance.
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
✓
Reconnaissance
Using Shodan to search for exposed industrial control systems is a form of passive/active information gathering about the target's internet-facing assets — this is the Reconnaissance phase of the attack lifecycle (also called footprinting or information gathering). The attacker is mapping the attack surface before any exploitation, delivery, or command-and-control activity occurs. Shodan indexes banners from internet-connected devices, making it a classic reconnaissance tool.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Command and control
Why it's wrong here
Command and control covers an implant beaconing to attacker infrastructure after compromise. Searching Shodan for exposed ICS devices establishes no channel and compromises nothing. This phase fits once malware on a victim host communicates with its handler, which is a later stage than reconnaissance.
- ✓
Reconnaissance
Why this is correct
Shodan passively indexes internet-facing devices, letting the analyst gather intelligence on exposed industrial control systems without directly interacting with them. This satisfies the reconnaissance phase, where adversaries collect target information before exploitation, mapping to the Cyber Kill Chain's first stage and the MITRE ATT&CK discovery tactic.
- ✗
Delivery
Why it's wrong here
Delivery is the stage where a weaponised payload reaches the target, such as a phishing email or malicious USB. Querying Shodan only identifies candidate targets; nothing is sent to them. Delivery would be correct once the analyst transmits an exploit to a discovered system.
- ✗
Exploitation
Why it's wrong here
Exploitation requires delivering a payload that leverages a vulnerability to gain access or execute code. Shodan queries are passive reconnaissance, enumerating exposed services without touching them. Exploitation would be the right classification once the analyst actually attacks a discovered ICS device.
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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
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