Quick Answer
The answer is Windows Security Event Logs, specifically Event ID 4624 for successful logons and Event ID 4625 for failed logons. These logs are the authoritative source because they capture the target user account, the source IP address of the remote connection, and the precise timestamp, directly allowing an analyst to find user logon from remote IP using Windows event logs. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this tests your ability to correlate authentication events with network activity during an incident; a common trap is to first check firewall logs or Sysmon, but those lack the specific user-to-IP mapping that Security Event Logs provide. Remember the mnemonic “4624 for the door, 4625 for the drive” — successful logon opens the door, failed logon shows the attempt, and both record the remote IP.
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.
During an incident, an analyst needs to determine if a specific user account 'jsmith' was used from a remote IP during a breach window. Which log sources should the analyst check first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
NetFlow records from the core switch.
Why wrong: Shows IP conversations, not usernames.
VPN concentrator logs.
Why wrong: Only if remote access via VPN; not general remote IP.
File server audit logs.
Why wrong: Shows file access, not authentication source.
Windows Security Event Logs (Event ID 4624, 4625).
Contains logon events with username and source IP.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Windows Security Event Logs (Event ID 4624, 4625).
Windows Security Event Logs with Event ID 4624 (successful logon) and 4625 (failed logon) are the authoritative source for interactive and remote logon events on a Windows system. They record the target user account (jsmith), the source IP address of the remote connection, and the timestamp, making them the direct and most reliable log source to determine if a specific user account was used from a remote IP during a breach window.
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.
NetFlow records from the core switch.
Why it's wrong here
Shows IP conversations, not usernames.
VPN concentrator logs.
Why it's wrong here
Only if remote access via VPN; not general remote IP.
File server audit logs.
Why it's wrong here
Shows file access, not authentication source.
Windows Security Event Logs (Event ID 4624, 4625).
Why this is correct
Contains logon events with username and source IP.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the misconception that NetFlow or VPN logs can identify user-level authentication details, when in fact only Windows Security Event Logs (or equivalent OS authentication logs) contain the specific user account and source IP for a logon event.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows IP conversations, not usernames.
Detailed technical explanation
Event ID 4624 includes a Logon Type field (e.g., Type 3 for network logon, Type 10 for remote interactive via RDP) and the Source Network Address field, which directly captures the remote IP address of the connecting client. In a breach scenario, an analyst would filter for Logon Type 10 (RemoteInteractive) or Type 3 (Network) for the user 'jsmith' and correlate the timestamp with the breach window. A real-world nuance: if the attacker used a pass-the-hash technique, Event ID 4624 would still show the logon, but the Logon Process might be 'NtLmSsp' instead of 'Kerberos', providing additional forensic clues.
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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Security Monitoring — This question tests Security Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Windows Security Event Logs (Event ID 4624, 4625). — Windows Security Event Logs with Event ID 4624 (successful logon) and 4625 (failed logon) are the authoritative source for interactive and remote logon events on a Windows system. They record the target user account (jsmith), the source IP address of the remote connection, and the timestamp, making them the direct and most reliable log source to determine if a specific user account was used from a remote IP during a breach window.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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