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200-201 Practice Question: During an incident, an analyst needs to determine…
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
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.
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
✓
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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
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.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.