Quick Answer
The answer is the Preparation phase. This phase is deficient because effective preparation must include threat modeling and the development of playbooks that account for common adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), such as PowerShell-based lateral movement. Without a containment plan that specifically addresses how malware uses native tools like PowerShell to spread across the network, the response team is left without a validated procedure during an active outbreak. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your understanding that the Preparation phase is the foundation for all subsequent phases—Detection & Analysis, Containment Eradication & Recovery, and Post-Incident Activity—and that a deficiency here cannot be fixed later. A common trap is to blame the Containment phase, but containment actions are only as effective as the pre-planned steps defined in Preparation. Remember the memory tip: "Prepare for the playbook, or the playbook will prepare for failure."
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security policies and procedures. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 company's incident response policy defines four phases: Preparation, Detection & Analysis, Containment Eradication & Recovery, and Post-Incident Activity. During an active ransomware outbreak, the IR team is unable to contain the spread because the containment plan did not account for the malware's use of PowerShell for lateral movement. Which phase had a deficiency?
Containment Eradication & Recovery
Why wrong: The failure is due to lack of preparation.
None of the above
Why wrong: There is a clear deficiency.
Preparation
Preparation must anticipate attack vectors.
Post-Incident Activity
Why wrong: Not applicable during active incident.
Detection & Analysis
Why wrong: Detection may have worked, but containment failed.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Preparation
Option A is correct because Preparation should include threat modeling and playbooks for common TTPs. Options B, C, D are later phases that rely on preparation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Containment Eradication & Recovery
Why it's wrong here
The failure is due to lack of preparation.
None of the above
Why it's wrong here
There is a clear deficiency.
Preparation
Why this is correct
Preparation must anticipate attack vectors.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Post-Incident Activity
Why it's wrong here
Not applicable during active incident.
Detection & Analysis
Why it's wrong here
Detection may have worked, but containment failed.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which 200-201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Security Policies and Procedures — This question tests Security Policies and Procedures — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Preparation — Option A is correct because Preparation should include threat modeling and playbooks for common TTPs. Options B, C, D are later phases that rely on preparation.
Identify which 200-201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
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. An incident response plan specifies that containment must be completed before eradication. A security analyst identifies a malware infection on a critical server. What should be done first?
mediumWhy A: According to the incident response plan, containment must be completed before eradication. Disconnecting the server from the network (Option A) is the immediate containment action that prevents the malware from spreading laterally to other hosts, preserving the integrity of the network and allowing for forensic analysis. This step aligns with the NIST SP 800-61 incident response lifecycle, where containment is prioritized to limit damage before any eradication or recovery steps are taken.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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