The correct answer is to investigate whether these are legitimate SSH attempts from authorized remote administrators. This is because logs showing multiple SSH attempts do not automatically indicate an attack; they could reflect routine administrative access, especially in environments with automated scripts or remote teams. The immediate priority is to correlate the source IPs, timestamps, and usernames against known authorized users and maintenance windows before taking any blocking action. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the “investigate before acting” principle within the NIST incident response framework, specifically the identification phase. A common trap is to jump to blocking all traffic (Option A) or disabling SSH (Option C), but the exam emphasizes that premature action can disrupt legitimate operations and destroy forensic evidence. Remember the mnemonic “Look Before You Lock” — always verify the source and intent of SSH attempts before implementing any access controls.
200-201 Security Policies and Procedures Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security policies and procedures. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
%SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list INBOUND denied tcp 10.0.0.1(12345) -> 192.168.1.1(22), 1 packet
%SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list INBOUND denied tcp 10.0.0.2(54321) -> 192.168.1.1(22), 1 packet
%SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list INBOUND denied tcp 10.0.0.3(11111) -> 192.168.1.1(22), 1 packet
%SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list INBOUND denied tcp 10.0.0.4(22222) -> 192.168.1.1(22), 1 packet
An analyst sees these logs. What should be the immediate course of action?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Investigate whether these are legitimate SSH attempts from authorized remote administrators.
Option B is correct because the attempts could be from authorized admins; investigation is needed. Option A is premature. Option C is too aggressive. Option D is not a solution. Option E is extreme.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Investigate whether these are legitimate SSH attempts from authorized remote administrators.
Add an ACL permit rule for SSH from these sources.
Why it's wrong here
May grant unauthorized access.
✗
Disable SSH access to the router.
Why it's wrong here
Could disrupt management.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 200-201 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Security Policies and Procedures — This question tests Security Policies and Procedures — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Investigate whether these are legitimate SSH attempts from authorized remote administrators. — Option B is correct because the attempts could be from authorized admins; investigation is needed. Option A is premature. Option C is too aggressive. Option D is not a solution. Option E is extreme.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 200-201 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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