The answer is a log rotation policy set to 30 days. This is the most likely cause because log rotation policies dictate how long logs are kept before being overwritten or archived; when the retention period expires, the system automatically cycles out old data to free space, directly causing the 30-day overwrite behavior described. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your understanding of log management fundamentals and the distinction between policy-driven automation versus deliberate actions or environmental issues—a common trap is to blame disk space, but rotation settings are the direct control mechanism. Remember that compliance with a log retention policy requires aligning rotation intervals with the required retention period, not just available storage. A helpful memory tip: rotation rules retention—if the rotation window is shorter than the policy, logs will be overwritten before they age out.
200-201 Security Policies and Procedures Practice Question
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 security policy requires that all system logs be retained for at least one year. A security analyst discovers that log files are being overwritten after 30 days. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The log rotation policy is set to 30 days
Option C is correct because the log rotation setting is likely set to 30 days, causing overwrites. Option A is wrong while disk space may contribute, the direct cause is the rotation policy. Option B is wrong because malware is less likely. Option D is wrong because an administrator deleting logs would be a deliberate act.
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.
✗
Logs are being manually deleted by an administrator
Why it's wrong here
Manual deletion would be inconsistent and unlikely across all logs.
✗
Malware infection
Why it's wrong here
Malware is possible but not the most likely cause for systematic overwriting.
✓
The log rotation policy is set to 30 days
Why this is correct
Log rotation settings control how logs are overwritten; a 30-day policy directly explains the behavior.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Insufficient disk space
Why it's wrong here
While disk space may trigger rotation, the immediate cause is the retention setting.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 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.
Security Policies and Procedures — This question tests Security Policies and Procedures — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The log rotation policy is set to 30 days — Option C is correct because the log rotation setting is likely set to 30 days, causing overwrites. Option A is wrong while disk space may contribute, the direct cause is the rotation policy. Option B is wrong because malware is less likely. Option D is wrong because an administrator deleting logs would be a deliberate act.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely", "least". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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