- A
Exploitation
Why wrong: Exploitation occurs before C2.
- B
Lateral movement
Lateral movement can occur after C2 to reach more systems.
- C
Weaponisation
Why wrong: Weaponisation occurs early in the chain.
- D
Installation
Why wrong: Installation occurs before C2.
- E
Actions on objectives
This is the final phase where the attacker achieves their goal.
Question 594 of 1,000
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.
In the Cyber Kill Chain, which TWO phases occur after the attacker establishes command and control (C2)?
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
✓
Lateral movement
After establishing command and control (C2), the attacker typically performs lateral movement to pivot within the network and then executes actions on objectives, such as data exfiltration or system disruption. In the Cyber Kill Chain, the phases following C2 are lateral movement and actions on objectives, as the attacker uses the C2 channel to explore the environment and achieve their end goal.
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.
- ✗
Exploitation
Why it's wrong here
Exploitation occurs before C2.
- ✓
Lateral movement
Why this is correct
Lateral movement can occur after C2 to reach more systems.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Weaponisation
Why it's wrong here
Weaponisation occurs early in the chain.
- ✗
Installation
Why it's wrong here
Installation occurs before C2.
- ✓
Actions on objectives
Why this is correct
This is the final phase where the attacker achieves their goal.
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 order of the Cyber Kill Chain phases, and the trap here is confusing 'installation' (which occurs before C2) with 'lateral movement' (which occurs after C2), leading candidates to incorrectly select installation as a post-C2 phase.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Lateral movement often uses protocols like SMB (port 445) for file sharing or PsExec for remote execution, while actions on objectives may involve data staging via RDP or FTP. A real-world scenario is the NotPetya attack, where after C2 via EternalBlue, attackers used WMI and PsExec to spread laterally before encrypting systems. Understanding the exact sequence—C2, then lateral movement, then actions—is critical for mapping alerts to kill chain phases in tools like SIEMs.
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 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
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Network Intrusion Analysis practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 200-201 questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
200-201 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 200-201 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Security Monitoring practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Security Monitoring.
Network Intrusion Analysis practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Network Intrusion Analysis.
Security Policies and Procedures practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Security Policies and Procedures.
Host-Based Analysis practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Host-Based Analysis.
Security Concepts practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Security Concepts.
200-201 fundamentals practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to 200-201 fundamentals.
200-201 scenario practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to 200-201 scenario.
200-201 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise 200-201 questions linked to 200-201 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free 200-201 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: Lateral movement — After establishing command and control (C2), the attacker typically performs lateral movement to pivot within the network and then executes actions on objectives, such as data exfiltration or system disruption. In the Cyber Kill Chain, the phases following C2 are lateral movement and actions on objectives, as the attacker uses the C2 channel to explore the environment and achieve their end goal.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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.
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.