The correct answer is increasing the signature threshold and adding a destination IP to a whitelist. These two actions are classic false positive reduction techniques in intrusion detection systems because they directly filter out benign traffic that would otherwise trigger unnecessary alerts. Increasing the signature threshold requires a higher number of matches or a larger event count before an alert fires, effectively silencing low-level noise from common network chatter. Adding a destination IP to a whitelist excludes known safe hosts from inspection, preventing alerts for legitimate business traffic. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your understanding of tuning IDS sensors to improve signal-to-noise ratio, a core skill for security analysts. A common trap is confusing false positive reduction with false negative reduction—remember that whitelisting and threshold tuning reduce false positives, while tuning signatures or updating rulebases reduces false negatives. Memory tip: think “raise the bar, skip the star”—raise the threshold and skip whitelisted hosts to cut the noise.
200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of network intrusion analysis. 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.
Which TWO actions are examples of false positive reduction techniques? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Adding destination IP to whitelist
Adding a destination IP to a whitelist (option C) reduces false positives by excluding known benign traffic from triggering alerts. Increasing the signature threshold (option E) reduces false positives by requiring a higher number of matches or a larger event count before an alert is generated, filtering out low-level noise.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Changing signature action from drop to alert
Why it's wrong here
Changing action does not reduce false positives; it changes response.
✗
Removing the sensor
Why it's wrong here
Removing sensor eliminates all detection.
✓
Adding destination IP to whitelist
Why this is correct
Whitelists prevent alerts for known safe traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Disabling all signatures
Why it's wrong here
Disabling removes detection completely, not a reduction technique.
✓
Increasing the signature threshold
Why this is correct
Thresholds reduce alerts for minor events.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between reducing false positives (by tuning or whitelisting) versus disabling detection entirely, so candidates mistakenly choose options like disabling signatures or removing sensors as valid reduction techniques.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
False positive reduction techniques in intrusion detection systems (IDS) like Snort or Suricata often involve tuning thresholds (e.g., 'threshold: type limit, count 5, seconds 60') to suppress alerts from repeated benign events, or using whitelists (e.g., 'pass' rules or 'whitelist' directives) to exclude trusted IPs or subnets. In a real-world scenario, a web server farm might generate many false positives for SQL injection signatures; whitelisting the server IPs and raising the threshold for the signature can reduce noise while still catching attacks from external sources.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Network Intrusion Analysis — This question tests Network Intrusion Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Adding destination IP to whitelist — Adding a destination IP to a whitelist (option C) reduces false positives by excluding known benign traffic from triggering alerts. Increasing the signature threshold (option E) reduces false positives by requiring a higher number of matches or a larger event count before an alert is generated, filtering out low-level noise.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO actions are recommended when tuning IDS signatures to reduce false positives?
medium
A.Increase alert severity for all signatures
B.Replace IDS with a next-generation firewall
✓ C.Modify signature thresholds to match typical traffic patterns
D.Disable signatures that generate frequent alerts
✓ E.Whitelist known good behavior
Why C: Options B and C are correct. Modifying thresholds and whitelisting known good behavior are standard tuning practices. Option A is too drastic. Option D is ineffective. Option E is a different solution.
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
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.