The correct first action is to isolate the database server from the network immediately to prevent data exfiltration. This is because the memory dump revealing injected reverse shell code inside the legitimate sqlsrv.exe process confirms active compromise, even though the file itself is unmodified and the EDR shows no malware. In incident response containment, the priority is to stop the threat from communicating outbound, as the reverse shell allows an attacker to exfiltrate data or move laterally, overriding any false sense of security from clean file integrity or EDR results. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to prioritize containment over investigation—a common trap is to waste time analyzing why the EDR missed the injection or checking threat intelligence, but the injected code is definitive proof of compromise. Remember the memory tip: "File clean, memory dirty—isolate first, ask questions later."
200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. 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.
A mid-sized financial firm has a segmented network with a DMZ hosting a web server, an internal network with a database server, and an employee LAN. The security infrastructure includes a next-generation firewall (NGFW) with IPS, an endpoint detection and response (EDR) solution, and a SIEM. Over the past week, the SIEM has generated alerts for unusual outbound connections from the database server to an external IP address 198.51.100.33 on TCP port 443 during non-business hours. The EDR shows no malware on the database server, but a process named 'sqlsrv.exe' (the legitimate SQL Server process) is making these connections. The server's file integrity monitoring indicates that the sqlsrv.exe file has not been modified, but a memory dump reveals injected code that appears to be a reverse shell. The firewall logs show that the outbound connections are allowed because they match an existing rule permitting the database server to reach external update servers. The IP 198.51.100.33 is not on any threat intelligence feed as malicious, but it is geolocated to a country with known cybercrime activity. Which action should the security analyst take 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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Isolate the database server from the network immediately to prevent data exfiltration.
The presence of injected reverse shell code in the memory of the legitimate sqlsrv.exe process indicates that the database server is actively compromised, regardless of the file integrity or EDR results. The immediate priority is to contain the threat by isolating the server from the network to prevent data exfiltration or lateral movement, as per incident response best practices (NIST SP 800-61).
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.
✓
Isolate the database server from the network immediately to prevent data exfiltration.
Why this is correct
Containment is the first step in incident response to stop the attack.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Contact the software vendor to verify the digital signature of sqlsrv.exe.
Why it's wrong here
The binary itself is legitimate; the injection is in memory. This does not address the immediate threat.
✗
Add a firewall rule to block outbound connections to 198.51.100.33.
Why it's wrong here
While this blocks one C&C, the attacker may use other IPs. Containment is more comprehensive.
✗
Run a full antivirus scan on the database server using an updated signature database.
Why it's wrong here
The EDR already detected no malware; fileless injection may evade signature scans. Scanning does not address the active compromise.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates focus on the unchanged file hash or lack of malware alerts and choose a slower investigative step (like scanning or vendor contact), instead of recognizing that memory-resident code injection is an active compromise requiring immediate isolation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Code injection into a legitimate process like sqlsrv.exe is a common technique to evade detection by EDR and file integrity monitoring, as the injected payload resides only in memory. The reverse shell on TCP 443 (HTTPS) blends with allowed outbound traffic to external update servers, exploiting the existing firewall rule. In real-world incidents, attackers often use living-off-the-land binaries (LOLBins) and process hollowing to maintain persistence without modifying disk files.
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.
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Isolate the database server from the network immediately to prevent data exfiltration. — The presence of injected reverse shell code in the memory of the legitimate sqlsrv.exe process indicates that the database server is actively compromised, regardless of the file integrity or EDR results. The immediate priority is to contain the threat by isolating the server from the network to prevent data exfiltration or lateral movement, as per incident response best practices (NIST SP 800-61).
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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