The correct action is to investigate the source host for compromise. This is the most appropriate response to a privilege escalation alert from an internal host because the alert indicates a potential exploit attempt originating from that specific source IP, suggesting the host itself may be compromised and used to escalate privileges against another internal target. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the incident response process, specifically that the first step is always to contain and analyze the source of the threat before taking broader actions like blocking IPs or involving law enforcement. A common trap is jumping to block the source IP immediately, but without evidence of data exfiltration or a widespread attack, isolating the host for forensic investigation is the priority. Remember the mnemonic “Source First, Block Last” to avoid premature escalation.
200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of network intrusion analysis. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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
Event:
Time: 2025-03-15 14:23:45
Priority: High
Type: Intrusion
Classification: Attempted User Privilege Gain
Source IP: 10.0.0.100
Destination IP: 192.168.1.50
Source Port: 54321
Destination Port: 445
Protocol: TCP
Message: "SMB2 Write Request with Unusual Pattern"
Refer to the exhibit from a Cisco Firepower event. Which action is most appropriate for the analyst?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Investigate the source host for compromise
The exhibit shows a single intrusion event from a specific source IP to a destination IP. The most appropriate first step is to investigate the source host for compromise because the event indicates a potential exploit attempt originating from that host. Without additional context (e.g., multiple events, confirmed data exfiltration), escalating to law enforcement or blocking the IP is premature, and disabling the signature would blind the sensor to future threats.
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.
✗
Escalate to law enforcement
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Escalation is premature without internal investigation.
✓
Investigate the source host for compromise
Why this is correct
Correct. The source is internal and the alert indicates suspicious activity, so the host may be compromised.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Block the destination IP
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The destination is internal and blocking may disrupt services without evidence of compromise.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the principle of 'investigate before act' — the trap here is that candidates see a security event and immediately choose a reactive action (block, disable, escalate) instead of the proper investigative step.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Cisco Firepower, intrusion events are generated by the Snort-based engine matching traffic against configured rules. A single event may be a false positive (e.g., benign traffic that matches a signature pattern) or a true positive. The analyst should first check the source host's logs (e.g., Windows Event Logs, Sysmon, or EDR telemetry) for signs of compromise, such as unexpected outbound connections or process anomalies, before taking irreversible actions like blocking or disabling signatures.
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.
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: Investigate the source host for compromise — The exhibit shows a single intrusion event from a specific source IP to a destination IP. The most appropriate first step is to investigate the source host for compromise because the event indicates a potential exploit attempt originating from that host. Without additional context (e.g., multiple events, confirmed data exfiltration), escalating to law enforcement or blocking the IP is premature, and disabling the signature would blind the sensor to future threats.
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.
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Question Discussion
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