- A
Add the internal monitoring tools' IP addresses to the whitelist and ensure that the network blocks the suspicious external request.
Whitelisting internal tools reduces false positives; blocking external malicious traffic maintains security.
- B
Disable the SQL injection signature for the web server because it causes false positives.
Why wrong: Disabling removes protection against real attacks.
- C
Immediately block all traffic from the external source IP that triggered the alert.
Why wrong: Blocking the IP may be too narrow and does not address the internal false positives.
- D
Request that the internal monitoring tools stop using dynamic queries, and leave the signature as is.
Why wrong: This may not be feasible and does not address current false positives.
Quick Answer
The answer is to whitelist the internal monitoring tools’ IP addresses while blocking the suspicious external request. This is correct because handling SQL injection false positives in NIDS tuning requires distinguishing between malicious payloads and legitimate dynamic queries from trusted sources. The internal tools generate traffic that matches the signature ‘id=1 OR 1=1’ but is not an attack, so whitelisting their IPs prevents false positives without weakening security. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to apply policy-driven NIDS tuning—balancing signature-based detection with operational needs. A common trap is to block all matching traffic, which would disrupt internal monitoring; instead, remember that whitelisting trusted sources preserves visibility while enforcing the block on external threats. Memory tip: “Whitelist the watchers, block the attackers.”
200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of network intrusion analysis. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
You are monitoring a network segment that hosts a public-facing web server. The NIDS alerts on a signature 'ET WEB_SERVER SQL Injection Attempt' triggered by traffic to the web server. The alert details show a GET request with the parameter 'id=1 OR 1=1'. The web server responds with a 200 OK and returns data. You check the web server logs and find that the application is a legacy system that does not use prepared statements. The security team has a policy to block all SQL injection attempts at the network level. However, you notice that the web server is also receiving legitimate traffic with similar patterns from internal monitoring tools that use dynamic queries. What is the most appropriate response?
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
Add the internal monitoring tools' IP addresses to the whitelist and ensure that the network blocks the suspicious external request.
Option A is correct because it balances security policy compliance with operational continuity. The internal monitoring tools' IP addresses should be whitelisted at the NIDS to prevent false positives, while the suspicious external request (which matches the SQL injection signature) should be blocked at the network level, as per policy. This approach ensures that legitimate internal traffic is not disrupted, while the external threat is mitigated.
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.
- ✓
Add the internal monitoring tools' IP addresses to the whitelist and ensure that the network blocks the suspicious external request.
Why this is correct
Whitelisting internal tools reduces false positives; blocking external malicious traffic maintains security.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Disable the SQL injection signature for the web server because it causes false positives.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling removes protection against real attacks.
- ✗
Immediately block all traffic from the external source IP that triggered the alert.
Why it's wrong here
Blocking the IP may be too narrow and does not address the internal false positives.
- ✗
Request that the internal monitoring tools stop using dynamic queries, and leave the signature as is.
Why it's wrong here
This may not be feasible and does not address current false positives.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the candidate's ability to distinguish between a true positive and a false positive in the context of security policy, where the trap is to immediately block the external IP (Option C) without considering that the alert might be a false positive or that a whitelist for legitimate internal traffic is the more appropriate first step.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SQL injection signatures in NIDS (e.g., Snort or Suricata) often use pattern matching on URI parameters for common SQL keywords like 'OR 1=1'. Legacy systems without prepared statements are vulnerable, but internal monitoring tools may generate similar patterns for legitimate health checks. Whitelisting by IP address at the NIDS (via pass rules or allowlists) ensures that internal traffic bypasses the signature, while external traffic is still inspected. This is a common scenario where context-aware filtering (e.g., using IP reputation or application-layer logic) is necessary to reduce false positives without compromising security.
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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
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: Add the internal monitoring tools' IP addresses to the whitelist and ensure that the network blocks the suspicious external request. — Option A is correct because it balances security policy compliance with operational continuity. The internal monitoring tools' IP addresses should be whitelisted at the NIDS to prevent false positives, while the suspicious external request (which matches the SQL injection signature) should be blocked at the network level, as per policy. This approach ensures that legitimate internal traffic is not disrupted, while the external threat is mitigated.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
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